Carlos Alcaraz begins Wimbledon title defence with win over Mark Lajal

LONDON: It’s been an unusually chilly start to Wimbledon, the temperature just about touching a high of 20 degrees Celsius.
A stiff wind swept across Church Road and spectators tugged at their wraps and jackets. The sun only made a guest appearance and while the grass was dry, the characteristic pop was missing, slowing play considerably.
On Centre Court where Carlos Alcaraz’ tennis reigned the weather didn’t appear to be a factor.The tennis, like the hairdo on display down the other end, was adventurous to say the least.
The defending champion, who rang the bell at SW19, got The Championships off to a sparkling start -- heart-stopping spin and touch coupled with unbounded athleticism and pulsating power.
The canvas was cold, but the art was ripe.
Alcaraz won 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2 against Estonia’s Grand Slam debutant Mark Lajal, who had his blonde dreadlocks pulled together in a pineapple style.
Just as well for the full-house that the world No. 269, who came through the qualifiers here, had the shots to match his style as he spurred the world No.3 to go for more. Not that Alcaraz, whose play flirts with the outrageous, needed the push. The Spaniard had 44 winners in the 2-hours and 22-minutes on court.
“This is the most beautiful court I have played on,” the defending champion said. “I still get nervous when I play here. I practised for 45 minutes on Thursday and it was the first time I was nervous in practice because I was playing on this court.”
Lajal (21 years 63 days) and Alcaraz (21 years 70 days), just a week apart in age, are the seventh and eighth youngest players to start the men’s singles main draw here. Despite being so close in age, the two have never contested a match at either professional or junior levels.
Lajal, whose father Mart was a motocross rider and grandfather Hardi Mets was a rally driver, is an accidental tennis player. His dream was to be a racecar driver. On Monday, the Estonian, who led by early breaks in the first and second sets, learnt that a break only counts when it’s backed by a hold. Winning a race is about holding the lead.
“I was a little bit surprised about his level, I have never seen him play or practice. I watched the highlights, but I didn't get any information. It was a little bit difficult. I think he played great. This level is not for his ranking. I'm sure if he is still playing at this level, he's going to increase his ranking, his level, and everything,” Alcaraz said of Lajal. “I'm happy about my level. I think I played a solid match, a great match.”
In other first-round matches fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev knocked out American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, eighth seed Casper Ruud put out Alex Bolt of Australia 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 and tenth seed Grigor Dimitrov moved past Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
Among the women, French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini scored over Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 7-5, 6-3.