World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz got his Australian Open campaign off to a flying start, comfortably defeating top-75 player Adam Walton 6-3 7-6 6-2 in the opening round.
Playing his first match on the ATP Tour without long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the Spaniard was all business on Sunday night at Rod Laver Arena, dominating a capable first-round opponent.
Alcaraz Dominates After Strong Start
Alcaraz started the match strongly on serve, giving Walton very few opportunities to make headway in the Spaniard’s service games. The first half of the opening set remained close because Walton remarkably landed all 17 of his first serves, even saving a breakpoint along the way.
Once Walton’s resistance dropped, Alcaraz began attacking the second serves, and the first set was wrapped up quickly. The second set was much more competitive, with Walton taking an early break, but Alcaraz responded immediately, breaking back in his very next return game.
Walton fought to push the set to a tiebreak, but there he faltered, committing errors and double faults that he had avoided earlier in the match. When Alcaraz won the second set tiebreak, the match was effectively decided. The Spaniard, who has never lost a match after winning the first two sets in his career, maintained his momentum and played his best tennis in the third to complete a dominant performance.
Alcaraz Reflects on First Match
Speaking to Eurosport after the match, Alcaraz admitted that opening matches at Slams are always tricky, but he was pleased with his performance:
“The truth is that the first match is never simple. Opening matches at Grand Slams are never easy. It’s the first of the season, my first official match of the year… I think today was a match with ups and downs as well… But overall, it was very good. Three sets, time on court, getting the competitive rhythm back again. I’m really happy to move on and get my first win of the season.”
Much of the offseason discussion revolved around Alcaraz parting ways with Ferrero after his most successful season to date. But if this first match is any indication, the Spaniard hasn’t skipped a beat. Instead of stepping back, he appears to have taken a step forward in pursuit of what would be a historic Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
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