Carlos Alcaraz Begins Madrid Open Title Defense With Dominant Win Despite Injury Concerns

Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion of the Madrid Open, began his title defense with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko on Friday. The 20-year-old Spaniard showcased his pace and flair, breaking Shevchenko's serve seven times and forcing 11 break-point opportunities.

Despite concerns about a right forearm injury that caused him to withdraw from the Barcelona Open last week, Alcaraz showed no signs of being hampered in his first match in nearly a month. "I didn't hit my forehand 100% but I'm really happy to not feel anything in the forearm," Alcaraz said after the match. He played with a wrapping covering most of his right arm.

Alcaraz, who is aiming to win his first French Open title next month, admitted he had doubts about his fitness coming into the tournament. "I surprised even myself with how well I felt on the court," the world number three said. He varied his return position, hit 24 winners, and used deft drop shots to cruise to a one-hour, eight-minute victory.

Why this matters: Alcaraz's dominant performance and apparent recovery from injury solidify his status as a top contender for the French Open title. His success in Madrid also highlights the rising prominence of young stars in men's tennis.

Alcaraz acknowledged that while he is not feeling "100 per cent" comfortable with his forehand, he is still happy with his performance and believes he can be competitive. The Spaniard is bidding to become the first player in Madrid Open history to win three consecutive titles. He will face Brazil's Thiago Seyboth Wild in the third round.

Key Takeaways

• Alcaraz begins Madrid Open title defense with dominant 6-2, 6-1 win.
• Despite forearm injury, Alcaraz showed no signs of being hampered in his match.
• Alcaraz aims to win his first French Open title next month.
• Alcaraz's performance solidifies his status as a top contender for the French Open.
• Alcaraz is bidding to become the first player to win 3 consecutive Madrid Open titles.