London [UK], July 1 (ANI): Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz had to withstand a free-hitting, aggressive performance from Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal to find a way through in straight sets to ensure his title defence started in excellent fashion at The Championships. The 21-year-old fought against an aggressive performance from Lajal to register a 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-2 victory at the grass-court major. "He surprised me a little bit because I had not seen him play too much.
He is very young, he is my age. I am sure I am going to see him on the Tour and play him more often. I am really happy to get through and get my first win on Centre Court this year," Alcaraz said as quoted by ATP.
Playing his first game as the defending champion on Centre Court, Alcaraz appeared at ease for extended stretches of time in a setting he remembers well. When he stepped onto the court for his first Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter against Lajal last year, the Spaniard, who had defeated Novak Djokovic in five sets to earn his maiden Wimbledon title. Alcaraz used his feathery drop shot to great use in a two-hour and twenty-two-minute duel.
He also showed off some explosive groundstrokes to the crowded crowd, securing a second-round match against either Australian Aleksandar Vukic or Mallorca finalist Sebastian Ofner. "Stepping onto this court at Wimbledon is the most beautiful court that I have played on. I am still nervous when I play here.
I practised for 45 minutes on Thursday and it was the.
