Madness took over Melbourne Park around eight thirty in the afternoon local time, ten thirty in the morning peninsular European time. Novak Djokovic lost the first set of the match against the 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy at the Rod Laver Arena, the controversial Nick Kyrgios He put his hand on his abdomen requesting medical help at the John Cain Arena.
Everything seemed more normal at the Margaret Court Arena, but suddenly Carlos Alcaraz21 years old and world No. 3, lost four consecutive games against the nationalized Russian Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko24 years old and number 77, making life difficult in the second set.
Just a few minutes. The Murcian reacted immediately to win by 6-1, 7-5 and 6-1 in 1h.54′ in a good debut in his fourth participation in the Australian Open. The only Grand Slam title missing from his collection, for now four crowns, having the opportunity to go from the antipodes by being the youngest tennis player to complete his own Grand Slam.
Everything was very strange, since the organization wanted to place the same schedule Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios. I had also played before Jannik Sinner. ‘Superlunes’ ended with Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil (back in the tournament after the knee injury that prevented him from doing so in 2024) off the center court, going to the second stage in relevance. I had never competed on that stage.
Alcaraz, impervious to circumstances, made his coach smile several times with his fantasy shots. And with the forcefulness with which he resolved his entry into a Grand Slam, which always involves nerves.
With the only shooting of two exhibition matches, having changed the movement of the serve, now more direct from start to finish, after adding five grams of weight to his racket. All very strange for an elite athlete, who feels every small movement in his usual routine. For Alcaraz, one more incentive to improve himself.
-He did crazy things. He beat Shevchenko 7-0 to go ahead 6-1 and 3-1. And he suffered one of those usual mini crises in his career, which take up fewer and fewer minutes. He conceded 0-4, but saved the rest, with 4-5, the set, which he won 7-5. He sentenced with a partial score of 9-1
At your whim. An excellent debut, which will continue against the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka, 29 years old and number 65 in the world, winner of Tunisian Aziz Dougaz 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) and 6-3.
Alcaraz needs more time and games for his modified serve, but he was filled with morale for what will continue to come. He was very electric, also attentive at key moments. He had already overwhelmed Shevchenko in Madrid 2024, he did it in this Australian Open, the fourth in the Spaniard’s career.
His balance with Nishioka is also positive, he beat him in Paris 2022 6-4 and 6-4.
