“I think what both Carlos and Jannik [Sinner] are able to do is continue to improve the small holes – if you could even call them holes – that they had, once upon a time. They’re able to improve in those areas, and then it becomes even harder to play against them,” the 27-year-old said.

“And Carlos, especially when he has a day like today, where he’s really focused, doesn’t give you any cheap errors in the whole match and is locked in, it makes it very difficult to play against. He’s got the ability to play a lot of different game styles. He is able to use his legs when he needs to, his power when he needs to, and ultimately, he’s a pretty good player.

“So the only difference pre-injury, I would say, it’s more of a gradual improvement where he keeps on getting better. As for myself, I’ve got to try and lock in and do the same.”

De Minaur has now faced Alcaraz on grass, clay, and indoor and outdoor hard courts. He was able to take a set off of the world No. 3 during last year’s Rotterdam final, another European indoor event. But he was no match for Alcaraz in Vienna.

“I think he hit his backhand line really, really well today, and that made it quite difficult. All in all, I could have been a little bit better, a little bit sharper in certain moments. But I thought he played at a much higher level than he did in Rotterdam.”

De Minaur and Alcaraz are now in action at the Paris Masters, where they both received byes directly into the second round as two of the top-eight seeds. De Minaur faces Tomas Martin Etcheverry in his opening match, while Alcaraz is up against Alex Michelsen.