Tennis: Alcaraz Breezes Past Gasquet At Australian Open
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to the Australian Open on Tuesday, facing some early resistance from French veteran Richard Gasquet before cruising to a 7-6(5) 6-1 6-2 victory in the opening round.
Gasquet struggled in the first set as Alcaraz made him sweat for points, but the 37-year-old held firm and drew level at 3-3 in the tiebreak with a breathtaking backhand winner.
However, Alcaraz raised his level from there to go a set up and the floodgates opened as the Wimbledon champion racked up a 3-0 lead in the next, before doubling his advantage in the match. The Spaniard showcased a mix of explosive forehands and deft shots.
With Gasquet fading, Alcaraz stepped up another gear on the Rod Laver Arena for the early break in the third set and settled the contest on serve, finishing with a fiery ace out wide on his fifth match point.
“Vamos!”
You said it, @carlosalcaraz.
The Spaniard defeats a gallant Richard Gasquet 7-6(5) 6-1 6-2 to advance.#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/IQPIbNlOSw
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2024
“It’s always great to play here in Australia, it’s the third time that I’m playing here,” said Alcaraz. “I didn’t have a good run in the years that I’ve played here but I enjoyed it a lot today.”
“I missed last year and felt really good playing here. I struggled a little bit in the first set with his game but every set I’ve been playing a bit better and in the end I was at a good level.”
Alcaraz will meet Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the second round of the Australian Open.
