Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open champion, marked a dominant debut at the 2025 Australian Open with a comfortable three-set victory (6-1, 7-5, 6-1) over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko in the first round. The match lasted just 1 hour and 56 minutes, with Alcaraz showcasing his usual brilliance despite a slight dip in the second set.
Match Highlights:
- First Set: Carlos Alcaraz came out strong, quickly overpowering Shevchenko to win 6-1 in just 29 minutes.
- Second Set: After a commanding 3-1 lead, Alcaraz faced a brief challenge as Shevchenko broke his serve twice, even managing to level the set. However, Alcaraz responded with resilience, winning four consecutive games to seal the set 7-5.
- Third Set: Alcaraz regained full control, securing the final set 6-1 with sharp shots and minimal resistance from Shevchenko.
Key Stats:
- Winners: Alcaraz hit an impressive 19 winners, showcasing his powerful forehand.
- Unforced Errors: He made 14 unforced errors, a minor flaw in an otherwise dominant performance.
- Serve: Alcaraz’s serve was solid throughout most of the match, though he dropped both of his serves in the second set.
Next Challenge for Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz will face Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, ranked world number 65, in the second round. The match is yet to be scheduled, with Alcaraz having previously defeated Nishioka in their only meeting at the 2022 Paris Masters.
Spanish Contingent at the Australian Open:
- Alejandro Davidovich and Roberto Carballés also progressed to the second round after respective victories.
- Unfortunately, Martín Landaluce, the other Spanish contender, was defeated in his Grand Slam debut by local player James McCabe (6-4, 6-3, 6-4).
With Alcaraz’s win, Spain continues to make a strong presence at the Australian Open, with its top-ranked player poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
