Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto grass for the first time outside of Wimbledon and tamed a French lucky loser on Tuesday to reach the second round at Queen’s club on Tuesday.
Spain’s world No. 2 needed a third-set tiebreaker to dispatch Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) after more than two and a half hours.
The 20-year-old had only competed on grass three times at Wimbledon – including juniors – but found his feet on the unique surface.
He finished off the tournament loser from qualifying on the third of five match points to advance.
“It was a tough match,” the winner said. “He played four or five matches on grass and this was my first one.
“It’s always difficult to adapt my game to the surface, but I really wanted to play here,” said the tournament debutant.
“It was a good first performance on grass. I can’t play on grass at home so I came here early to train for it, especially the movement.
“It felt really good for a first match of the season (on the surface).
“But I will be better in the next round,”
Alcaraz was playing his first match since losing a Roland Garros semi-final to dNovak Djokovic; he now takes on Czech Jiri Lehecka, a 7-6 (4), 6-3 winner over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Alcaraz, winner of four season titles, can displace Djokovic on the top if he wins the title on Sunday in west London.
Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…