Laura Robson has seen her prediction for the eventual US Open men’s champion called into question after watching Carlos Alcaraz’s supreme performance last night.
After all, the Spaniard was rock-solid as he breezed past Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets.
It was the most routine win for a player in inspired form at the moment, fresh from his title in Cincinnati.
At his current rate, it feels as though only one man could possibly stop him.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Ironically, that is exactly who Laura Robson picked at the start of the tournament to win the whole thing.
Asked if she still backs Jannik Sinner to go all the way and potentially topple Carlos Alcaraz in the final, she stood firm.
Laura Robson reinforces who she thinks will win the US Open out of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
In fact, the pundit even seemed a little insulted when asked if she’d like to change her prediction, stating live on Sky Sports: “No, no! I am sticking to my guns. I am not a bandwagoner!”
She continued: “I picked Sinner at the start of the tournament.
“Did I know that he was going to be sick in Cincy? No. Did I know he would have a tough test yesterday in four? No. But it is what it is.
“I think everyone has gone for one of those two for a reason. They are so far ahead of the rest of the draw at the moment. And we are not the first people to say that, we hear from Tommy Paul saying that we are just trying to catch up with them.”
Tommy Paul actually said who he thought was harder to play out of Alcaraz and Sinner just last week.
Carlos Alcaraz’s faultless serving throughout the US Open
One of the greatest strengths a tennis player can boast is a fearsome serve.
Fortunately, Alcaraz has that and every other shot in the playbook as well.
On occasion this year, that serve has misfired, but his magical array of alternative qualities has pulled him through so many matches, and still won him titles.
It is only really against Sinner where perfection is needed.
Based on his current form though, with the serving included, that is what Alcaraz has managed thus far.
In his four wins in New York this year, the 22-year-old has been broken just once, with his opponents only managing to create eight break point opportunities.
He has been cruising through his own service games and blitzing returns to constantly apply pressure on his opponents.
Should he maintain that trend, it’s hard to imagine even Sinner stopping him from winning a second US Open title.