Alcaraz gets title defence off to a comfortable start
CARLOS Alcaraz got his Wimbledon title defence off to an encouraging start with a straightsets victory on Centre Court.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, seeded third this year, beat Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal 7-6 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 22 minutes.
Lajal, also 21 but ranked 266 places lower than Alcaraz, sported dreadlocks pulled back in a pineapple-style ponytail on his Wimbledon debut.
He took a chunk out of the threetime grand slam winner with a break of serve in the opening set.
But Alcaraz, who last month added the French Open to his Wimbledon and US Open titles, hit straight back and then eased through the gears.
“He played a really good match,” said Alcaraz.
“Obviously he surprised me a little bit because I hadn’t seen him too much.
“He’s young, he’s my age and I’m sure I’m going to see him really soon on the tour and play him more often.
“But I’m really happy to get through and get my first win on Centre Court this year.”
Meanwhile, third seed Aryna Sabalenka pulled out of Wimbledon hours before her first-round match with Emina Bektas.
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka revealed on Saturday there was a chance she could withdraw from the third major of 2024 due to an ongoing shoulder problem called teres major, which primarily affects her serve.
The Belarusian cut short her practice on Monday afternoon before All England Club organisers confirmed she had been forced to withdraw, with Erika Andreeva handed a place in the main draw as a lucky loser.
It blows open the women’s draw, with world number three Sabalenka among the favourites to secure a maiden Wimbledon title.