Carlos Alcaraz began his Madrid Open title defense in impressive fashion, securing a comfortable victory over Alexander Shevchenko.
The 20-year-old world number three displayed his dominance on the clay courts, delivering a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win against Kazakhstan’s Shevchenko.
Throughout the match, Alcaraz showcased his trademark pace and flair, leaving his 23-year-old opponent struggling to keep up with his level of play.
Despite wearing a compression sleeve on his right forearm, a precautionary measure after withdrawing from last week’s Barcelona Open due to injury, Alcaraz showed no signs of discomfort during the match.
Following his victory, Alcaraz admitted that while he did not experience any discomfort in his arm, he still felt that his forehand was not at its peak, stating that he was not “feeling 100%.”
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild in the third round as he continues his campaign in the Madrid Open.