Alcaraz Kicks Off Career Grand Slam Bid With Tough Australian Open Test

Carlos Alcaraz began his pursuit of a career Grand Slam with a hard-fought three-set victory over home favourite Adam Walton at the Australian Open on Sunday. The Spanish superstar triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, delivering eight aces and 38 winners to secure a second-round match against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.

However, Alcaraz also recorded 36 unforced errors, surpassing his 81st-ranked opponent in that regard. At just 22 years old, the top seed already boasts six major titles, but success on the hard courts of Melbourne Park remains a notable gap in his achievements. He has yet to progress past the quarter-finals in four appearances, suffering defeats at that stage to Novak Djokovic last year and Alexander Zverev the year before.

Should he break this Australian drought, Alcaraz would become the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam, eclipsing retired compatriot Rafael Nadal, who secured all four majors by the age of 24. Additionally, he would be the youngest man in the Open Era to win seven Grand Slams, a record previously held by Bjorn Borg, who achieved this at 23.

The match was a stern test for Walton, who faced a player that has never lost in the first round of a Grand Slam. The 26-year-old pushed Alcaraz to his limits. The reigning French Open and US Open champion started steadily, looking for openings. He created four break points, finally converting on the fifth in game eight with a stunning forehand winner before serving out the set, demonstrating exceptional speed and court coverage.

Despite this, Alcaraz found himself trailing 3-1 in the second set as Walton held his ground. The Spaniard, who claimed a Tour-leading eight titles last season, rallied back, but Walton took the contest to a tiebreak, where Alcaraz found another gear. He maintained this momentum into the third set, breaking to love for a 4-2 lead and ultimately coasting to victory.