Carlos Alcaraz started its most recent attempt to complete career Grand Slam when running over the Australian Adam Waltonunseeded, 6-3, 7-6(2) and 6-2, in the debut of Australian Open this Sunday (18).
Number one in the world, the Spaniard displayed the power and precision of someone chasing a historic feat.
At 22, Alcaraz can surpass Don Budge and Become the youngest man to win four Grand Slam singles titles at least once. In front of a packed Rod Laver Arena, the Spaniard offered a true display of strikes, keeping the audience tied to their seats or standing in applause.
“I’m very happy to step onto the court for the first time this season. I don’t think it could be better than here, at Rod Laver Arena. It was a good match, I felt great”, he said.
“It was a very consistent match, and when Adam was able to get on the court and play aggressively, he did it, which made the game quite complicated.”
How was the game
A powerful forehand helped him win the first break and take a 5-3 lead. The six-time Grand Slam winner closed the opening set with his revamped serve, which now resembles, in many ways, Novak Djokovic’s serve.
The technical adjustment comes after the abrupt separation last month of long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The absence of the coach’s influence was evident when the Spaniard was led to a tiebreak in the second set, after a period of looser tennis and focused on the spectacle for the fans.
Undeterred, Alcaraz came back with everything to increase the advantage in the match and, driven by the moment, controlled the third set with ease. With the victory, he guaranteed a place in the second round, where he will face German Yannick Hanfmann.
