Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his latest bid for an elusive Australian Open title by beating Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 during first-round action on Sunday night. Alcaraz dropped serve only once while advancing in two hours and five minutes. The world No. 1 fired eight aces and won 20 of 22 net points.
“I am really happy to step onto the court once again for the first time this season,” said Alcaraz, who has never made it past the quarterfinals Down Under. “It could not have been better, playing here on the Rod Laver Arena. It was a good match. I felt great and Adam pulled off some great shots, a great level in the match, so I had to stay there at this kind of level.”
The Spaniard is joined in round two by Alexander Bublik, who trounced Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. It was better news for the American contingent with Frances Tiafoe, as the former U.S. Open semifinalist dismissed Australian qualifier Jason Kubler 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2.
Australian Open Day 1 men’s singles results
Carlos Alcaraz d. Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2
Alexander Zverev d. Gabriel Diallo 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
Frances Tiafoe d. Jason Kubler 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2
Alexander Bublik d. Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Arthur Fery d. Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-1
Francisco Comesana d. Patrick Kypson 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Tomas Martin Etcheverry d. Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
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
Emilio Nava d. Kyrian Jacquet 6-2, 7-5, 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-6(10-6)
Marton Fucsovics vs. Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-2
Corentin Moutet d. Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-3
Damir Dzumhur d. Liam Draxl 7-5, 6-0, 6-4
Michael Zheng d. Sebastian Korda 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(0), 6-3
Jaime Faria d. Alexander Blockx 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Yannick Hanfmann d. Zachary Svajda 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3)
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.