Alcaraz, the ideal entrance
As tradition dictates, the defending champion opened the show on Centre Court on this first day. Carlos Alcaraz did not tremble, but thanks to his opponent, Mark Lajal, who played a very good game for two sets, the Spaniard had to work hard and be serious. Enough to put him in his tournament right away. Winner in three sets (7-6, 7-5, 6-1 in 2h21), the recent winner of Roland-Garros was sometimes jostled by the amazing Estonian player, who nevertheless dropped off significantly after the first two sets.
But for almost two hours, Lajal, 269th in the world, played at a much higher level than his ranking indicates. We won’t go so far as to say that he may harbor some regrets, but he still broke first each time in the first two sets. Unfortunately for him, he was broken both times in the process. Carlos Alcaraz therefore did not even have time to feel the beginning of worry.
The world number 3 distilled a few drop shots of which he has the secret which delighted the central public, in which a certain David Beckham had taken his place and, as is often the case in this type of meeting, it was in the hottest moments and on the most important points that the difference between the two men was glaring. Once the second set was in his pocket, Alcaraz continued in the last act. Lajal was no longer there. But he can be proud of what he produced in this prestigious setting, against an opponent of this ilk.
Medvedev starts cleanly
Daniil Medvedev reached the semi-finals last year at Wimbledon. It was the first time that the Russian finally managed to shine on English turf. He intends to do it again in this 2024 edition and he started his fortnight rather well by winning in three sets against the American Aleksandar Kovacevic, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in just under two hours.
“It was a good game, not as easy as the score indicates,– he estimated on the court after his victory. I’m happy to have played on court number 1, it’s my favourite court, I think I must have won 9 or 10 times here and I’ve never lost. I hope I’ll play many more matches on this court!“Daniil Medvedev will face a Frenchman for a place in the last 16. It will be Alexander Müller, winner of his 100% French duel against Hugo Gaston in three sets too.
The other main results
Casper Ruud (Nor/N.4) beat Alex Bolt (Aus) 7-6, 6-4, 6-4
Grigor Dimitrov (Bul/N.10) beat Dusan Lajovic (Serb) 6-3, 6-4, 7-5
Frances Tiafoe (EU/N.29) beat Matteo Arnaldi (Ita) 6-7, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3
Denis Shapovalov (Can) beats Nicolas Jarry (Chi/N.19) 6-1, 7-5, 6-4
Matteo Berrettini (Ita) beat Marton Fucsovics (Hon) 7-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
