Barbara Schett says Carlos Alcaraz needs to be a given 'a bit of a break' from the lofty expectations on him

Carlos Alcaraz «cannot be written off» despite his indifferent form in the run-up the US Open, believes Barbara Schett. Alcaraz went out of the Canadian Open at the last-32 stage, losing to Tommy Paul and later admitting he «couldn't deal with the pressure», Ad He was then unable to progress beyond the last eight in Cincinnati, where was beaten by Britain's Cameron Norrie. ATP Cincinnati'That was unbelievable' — Norrie stuns Alcaraz to secure semi-final spot at Cincinnati Open20/08/2022 AT 08:02 Nevertheless, the 19-year-old Spaniard has still had a phenomenal year given his age and experience, winning two Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, whilst also triumphing at two other ATP tournaments in Rio and Barcelona.

That has put Alcaraz as the provisional third seed for the upcoming final major of the year in New York, and Eurosport's Schett is talking up his chances. «If somebody can do it Alcaraz can,» Schett said. «He still hasn't lost too many matches this year [nine].

I wouldn't read too much into those last couple of tournaments [in Montreal and Cincinnati]. 'I worry one day he'll just call it quits' — Schett hoping for proper Federer farewell 'It is how it is' — Zverev explains 'tough' US Open withdrawal 'It's a joke' — McEnroe says Djokovic missing US Open would not be 'fair' »So he's had a phenomenal year. «I think we have to give him a bit of a break.

He's so young, he's still learning, he's still evolving. »I think over the course of five sets, for example, he's going to be very tricky to play against because he has so much energy. «I think he's learned so much at the Grand Slam events — he probably wanted it a little bit too much this year at the Grand Slams.