Alcaraz stays on winning track in Basel debut

Carlos Alcaraz kept up the chase for his first title since becoming world No. 1 last month, with the Spanish teenager dispatching Dutchman Botic van

de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the Swiss Indoors quarter-finals.

The youngster took over the top spot after the US open but did not win a match until Monday in the hometown of now-retired Roger Federer .

Alcaraz will be playing his 11th quarter-final of the season on Friday.

Victory took 87 minutes, with the Spaniard solid in the tight moments against his 35th-ranked opponent.

“I wanted to start focussed and with no mistakes,” the winner said. “I was able to control my shots and movement on court.

“I served very well and I controlled the entire match. I’m happy with my performance today.”

Alcaraz said that his team headed by former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero have been working on playing the big points well.

“That is when you have to show your best tennis, have to pay your best game,” he said.

“I try not to feel the pressure of the moment. I just think of it as a normal shot and go for it.”