One down, six to go in Carlos Alcaraz’s final attempt to complete the Grand Slam career.
But it has to start somewhere, and it started routinely – when Alcaraz cruised past Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday night. The top seed hit eight aces compared to one double fault and won 20 of 22 net points as he advanced in two hours and five minutes.
“I am very happy to be back on the field for the first time this season,” said Alcaraz. “It couldn’t have been better to play here at Rod Laver Arena. It was a good game. I felt great and Adam made some great shots, great level in the game, so I had to stay there at that kind of level.”
The world number 1 has won six major titles: two at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. However, he never got further than the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.
Alcaraz will be joined in the second round by Frances Tiafoe, who also faced an Aussie on Sunday. The 34th-ranked American ended qualifier Jason Kubler’s run 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2.
Alexander Bublik enjoyed an equally routine day at the office. The newest member of the ATP top 10 defeated Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and four minutes.
Australian Open Day 1 results
Carlos Alcaraz d. Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2
Yannick Hanfmann d. Zachary Svajda 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3)
Michael Zheng d. Sebastian Korda 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(0), 6-3
Corentin Moutet d. Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-3
Alexander Bublik d. Jenson Brooksby: 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Marton Fucsovics vs. Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-2
Tomas Martin Etcheverry d. Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Arthur Fery d. Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-1
Frances Tiafoe d. Jason Kubler 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2
Francisco Comesana d. Patrick Kypson: 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Alexander Zverev d. Gabriel Diallo 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
Emilio Nava d. Kyrian Jacquet 6-2, 7-5, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-6(10-6)
Cameron Norrie d. Benjamin Bonzi 6-0, 6-7(2), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Francisco Cerundolo d. Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 7-6(0), 6-3
Damir Dzumhur d. Liam Draxl 7-5, 6-0, 6-4
Jaime Faria d. Alexander Blockx 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
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