MELBOURNE.- The Spanish Carlos AlcarazNo. 3 in the ATP, debuted in the Australian Open with an expeditious victory in three sets (6-1, 7-5 and 6-1) against the Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko (N.77), this Monday in Melbourne.
The Spaniard, who needed just under two hours to get rid of his rival, will face the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (N.5) in the second round, who eliminated the Tunisian Aziz Dougaz (N.231) in four sets.
Alcaraz did not seem to feel the pressure to play the first Grand Slam of the season, and the only one of the four that has not won yet, and already in the first set he made a difference with a 6-1 in less than half an hour.
With the Spaniard 3-1 up in the second, Shevchenko reacted, not only breaking Alcaraz’s break, but also breaking his serve again to be just one game away from equalizing the score (5-4). .
But the No. 3, already winner of four Grand Slams (two Wimbledon, a Roland Garros and a US Open), pulled from the hierarchy to save that moment and take the second set 7-5, before closing the match with another clear 6-1.
“Nole” hesitated
The Serbian Novak Djokovicthe tennis player with the most victories in the Australian Open (10 titles), debuted this Monday in Melbourne with a victory against the American Nishesh Basavareddy (N.107), who managed to snatch a set from the former world No. 1.
Djokovic beat his rival 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2 to join other title favorites such as Jannik Sinner (N.1), Alexander Zverev (N.2) and Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. (N.3).
In the next round, the current No. 7 in the ATP ranking will face the Portuguese Jaime Faria (No. 125).
Under the watchful eye of his former rival and now coach Andy Murray, Djokovic suffered for a set and a half against Basavareddy’s deep shots and dropshots.
But the current Olympic champion found a way to play against his rival in the final part of the second set and the match changed color, also due to the physical difficulties of Basavareddy who had to be treated by doctors for discomfort in his left thigh. .