World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz handed the primary impediment on the Australian Open. The younger Spaniard confronted Alexander Shevchenko within the first spherical and earned a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 victory. Final yr’s quarter-finalist seeks a Profession Grand Slam in Melbourne, making an attempt to turn out to be the youngest participant to attain that.
Alcaraz outplayed his rival in units one and three and produced a pleasant comeback within the second from 3-5. Carlos misplaced serve two instances within the second set and saved the stress on the opposite aspect. The Spaniard took over half of the return factors.
He turned them into eight breaks from 19 alternatives, taking part in nicely and touchdown 38 winners and 26 unforced errors. Alcaraz constructed an enormous benefit within the shortest and mid-range rallies, outplaying his rival in that section.
It is showtime 🍿
Carlos Alcaraz faces Alexander Shevchenko in his first spherical match! #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/x8OjLqsGdj
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025
Carlos made a dependable begin, delivering three straight breaks within the opener and wrapping it up in below half an hour. Alcaraz saved a break level within the second sport and dominated the remaining ones. The Spaniard broke at love within the third sport after the rival’s backhand error.
World no. 3 drew the rival’s mistake within the fifth sport, incomes one other break and increasing the hole. Shevchenko served to remain within the opener at 1-5 and struggled once more. Carlos landed a forehand crosscourt winner for his third break in a row and 6-1 in 28 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz missed an early lead within the second set and fell 5-3 behind earlier than rattling off 4 video games to keep away from the setback! The Spaniard seized the fifth break likelihood within the third sport with a forehand down the road winner and moved in entrance.
Nevertheless, he misplaced his focus behind the preliminary shot and suffered two straight breaks. Alexander lowered the deficit along with his first break in sport 5. The Kazakh offered one other at 3-3 after the Spaniard’s wayward forehand, forging his first benefit.
Trailing 5-3, Carlos delivered a maintain at love in sport 9 and made a push on the return within the subsequent one. World no. 3 landed a forehand winner for 2 break factors and seized the second with a compelled error to tug the break again and lengthen the battle.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz gained a lift and secured one other break at 6-5 following Shevchenko’s free backhand. Thus, the Spaniard rattled off 4 video games and solid two units to like benefit after an hour and 27 minutes. Alcaraz had the higher hand and sailed via the third set.
He cracked a backhand down the road return winner within the fourth sport for a break and a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard fired one other backhand down the road return winner within the sixth sport for a break at 15 and a 5-1 benefit. Alcaraz served for the win in sport seven.
The four-time Main winner seized the fifth match level with a robust serve, sealing the deal and transferring into the second spherical.
