One down, six to go in Carlos Alcaraz’s latest attempt to complete a career Grand Slam.
But it has to start somewhere, and it started the usual way — as 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 to one double and won 20 of 22 points as they advanced in two hours and five minutes.
“I’m very happy to be back on the field for the first time this season,” said Alcaraz. “It couldn’t have been better, playing here at Rod Laver Arena. It was a good game. I felt good and Adam made good shots, good quality in the game, so I had to stay there at this level.”
World No. 1 has captured six major titles – two each at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. However, he never even made it past the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.
Alcaraz is joined in the second round by Frances Tiafoe, who also faced the Aussie on Sunday. The 34th-ranked American defeated qualifier Jason Kubler 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2.
Alexander Bublik enjoyed a typical day at the office. The new 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 scores
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
Thomas 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
