Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz began his Wimbledon campaign with a victory over Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal. Despite the challenge, Alcaraz secured a 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-2 win to move into the second round.
Alcaraz, the third seed, faced a tough test against the 269th-ranked Lajal, who managed to break Alcaraz’s serve in both the first and second sets. However, Alcaraz’s experience and skill helped him recover quickly, winning the first set in a tiebreak and breaking back immediately in the second set.
Lajal impressed the crowd with his agility and unique appearance, including blonde dreadlocks he has had since he was six. Although it was his first tour match on grass, Lajal showed promise and kept the match competitive.
Alcaraz, who is aiming to defend his Wimbledon title and add a fourth Grand Slam to his collection, raised his game in the third set, ultimately closing out the match with a strong performance.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz praised Lajal’s level of play and expressed his excitement about playing on Centre Court again. He admitted to feeling nervous but also privileged to compete at Wimbledon.
With this win, Alcaraz advances to the second round, continuing his quest to defend his title.
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