Carlos Alcaraz began his Queen’s title defence with a straight-set victory over Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, carrying up where he left off on the British grass.
In what was his first encounter on grass since winning Wimbledon last year, the 21-year-old Spaniard prevailed 6-1, 7-5.
Earlier this month, Alcaraz won his third major on the French Open clay court before returning to the surface on which he has played the least.
At first, the adjustment appeared effortless, but he encountered difficulties in his opening-round match against Cerundolo, who was ranked 26th.
However, the world number two bounced back to win on a grass court for the 12th time in a row.
“I am constantly learning, regardless of the competitions I participate in or the accomplishments I have made,” Alcaraz declared.
“I need to get better at moving and playing on grass courts every time I step on them.”
After losing the first set lopsidedly with just 14 points, Alcaraz rallied to win the second set 5-2 after falling behind at the break.
Cerundolo had three set points at 5-4 but was unable to close the deal at 5-3.
However, the Spaniard managed to hold for 5-5 when he sent two backhands into the net, one on either side of Alcaraz’s ace save of the second.
Alcaraz broke for a 6-5 lead and served out to love, so that proved expensive.
Alcaraz remarked, “The opening game in any tournament is never easy, but it’s much harder here on grass.”
“As the grass season approaches, you want to perform well and must manage your self-imposed expectations.
“The test against Francisco was effective. I’m quite pleased with my accomplishments and plan to continue.”
Alcaraz, who defeated Mariano Navone of Argentina, will face Jack Draper, the newly crowned British number one, in the second round.
At the German Halle Open, new world number one Jannik Sinner had to overcome an early deficit to win his opening match.
After reaching the French Open semifinals, the Italian, who had been ranked number one in men’s tennis after Novak Djokovic’s collapse, bounced back to defeat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 6-2.
Australian Open champion Sinner, who will next play Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, said, “It was definitely mentally taxing.”
“In the first set tiebreak, I was leading 5-1. However, this can occur, particularly on this surface, and it can happen very quickly.
