JABAR EKSPRES – Alcaraz began his bid to win a second Grand Slam title with a strong performance against 159th-ranked Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli in the first round of the French Open on Monday (5/29).
The top seed played some beautiful shots as he cruised to a 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Cobolli, who was playing in a Grand Slam for the first time.
Spaniard Alcaraz is the favorite to win the title in the absence of compatriot Rafael Nadal and is scheduled to meet Djokovic in the semifinals.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a clay-court season winning the Madrid and Barcelona Opens, but suffered a shock defeat to a player from outside the top 100 against Fabian Marozsan in Rome.
However, there were no such mistakes on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Paris, as he won the first eight games of the match.
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Cobolli’s form improved, even saving four match points in the third set and breaking Alcaraz, but eventually Alcaraz managed to extend his streak of never losing in the first round of a Grand Slam to nine appearances.
“It wasn’t very good (losing match points)… But I have to overcome it and forget about it,” Alcaraz said, as broadcast by AFP, Tuesday (5/30).
“I played at a great level when it was 5-5 and 6-5.”
Alcaraz will next play Taro Daniel of Japan.
Meanwhile, Canadian 10th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime suffered his third opening round defeat in four visits to Roland Garros, losing 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to Fabio Fognini.
The Italian, who has lost six times in the first round in nine tournaments so far this season, pulled off an upset victory on Court Simonne Mathieu.
British 14th seed Cameron Norrie came through a five-set thriller on Court Suzanne Lenglen to beat home wildcard Benoit Paire 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
