ATP Tour

Alcaraz survives late scare in Queen's Club opener

Competing for the first time since his epic Roland Garros final victory against Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz returned to winning ways Tuesday at the HSBC Championships. In the pristine London setting of The Queen's Club, the Spaniard went through the gears in a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory against Aussie lucky loser Adam Walton.

"I feel great, I feel super happy to be back on grass. It’s a special surface, a special place to me," said Alcaraz, who was competing on the red clay of Paris nine days ago. "In these nine days I have done everything: rest up, practising, playing a match again. It has been nine great days and I’m happy to be back here."

The result extends Alcaraz's winning streak to 14 matches dating back to the start of his Rome title run. Going back to Monte-Carlo, where he also lifted the trophy, Alcaraz has won 23 of his past 24 matches. He leads the ATP Tour in both wins (38) and titles (4) this year.

Adding to the uncertainty in his first grass-court match of the season, Alcaraz faced a late change of opponent when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina withdrew due to illness. As he found his footing on the new surface, Alcaraz enjoyed a comfortable outing until he had to survive a dramatic close to the second set.

The first break points he faced in the match doubled as set points for Walton at 4-5, 15/40, but a big serve out wide and a dangerous return that sailed just long erased the danger. Those were the only break points Alcaraz faced in the one-hour, 42-minute victory, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He also hit 10 aces.

With his drop shot in full flow in the biggest moments, Alcaraz won the only point against serve in the tie-break at 4/4 and ripped a forehand winner on his first match point. The 2023 Queen's Club champion will next face Jaume Munar.

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Ben Shelton was unable to follow Alcaraz into the second round. The American suffered a shock first-round defeat to Arthur Rinderknech, who earned a 7-6(5), 7-6(4) victory. Shelton reached the semi-finals in Stuttgart last week and fired 22 aces against Rinderknech, but was unable to conjure up a break point opportunity.

Frenchman Rinderknech will next face Reilly Opelka after the American beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-6(6), 6-4. Brandon Nakashima was also a Day 2 winner in London. The former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion overcame Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-7(10), 7-6(5), 6-4.