Carlos Alcaraz got his first taste of play under the Wimbledon No. 1 court roof on a rain-wrecked Tuesday as the top seed began his campaign 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 over Jeremy Chardy.
The 20-year-old Spaniard who showed he has the game for grass by winning the Queen’s club title last month, won the first eight games against his veteran French opponent.
Alcaraz is bidding to become the third Spaniard after Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal to lift a Wimbledon trophy.
He left no doubt as to his intentions for the grass-court fortnight: “The main goal for me this tournament is to win it “
Chardy, 36, has played a limited schedule this season after coming back at the Australian Open from 18 months out with a knee injury.
He has now lost all seven of his matches against world No. 1 players.
Alcraraz claimed the first two sets in less than an hour but had to work in the third as he fell behind 4-2.
The Spaniard erased the deficit and ended the match with back-to-back aces to reach the second round in his third appearance here.
“I played really well at the beginning of the match but he lifted his level in the third set,” the winner said.
“I was in trouble, But I like to play rallies, to battle. I’m happy to have played at a great level.”
Alcaraz said playing under the roof was nothing out of the ordinary.
“It doesn;’t change too much, I don’t think about it. I have to be focused on my game and show my best level.”
He said that the presence of eight-time retired winner Roger Federer watching not too far away in the Royal Box on centre court left him envious.
“I saw that Roger Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous,” the 20-year-old said.
“Honestly, I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches obviously. I wish to talk a little bit with him.
“For me it would be amazing, I hope to see him around more than once.”
Andy Murray put on a command performance with Switzerland’s great man still in the audience, schooling young Brit Ryan Peniston 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 in two hours.
The two-time champion said he felt his best physically since his last title in 2016.
“It was amazing to have royalty (Kate, Princess of Wales) and some tennis royalty as well,” the 36-year-old said.
“It was great to see Roger here supporting the event. It was nice to see some claps after a couple of good shots.”
Murray, who advanced on his second match point, plays the winner of the unfinished match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and former US Open winner Dominic Thiem.
“It was amazing to be back on Centre Court,” Murray said “I started off nervous since I wanted to play well.
“But once I got the first break of serve I played some good stuff. There were some good signs there.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this good coming into Wimbledon – I’m hoping to be fit and ready for a good run.”
Main photo:- Andy Murray celebrates as he wins first round match in straight sets by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
