Alcaraz opens title defence with battling win over Lajal

Carlos Alcaraz opened his Wimbledon title defence pinch a hard-fought triumph complete Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal.

The Spaniard won 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 6-2 to statesman proceedings connected Centre Court.

Alcaraz is attempting to triumph back-to-back awesome titles aft triumphing astatine nan French Open past month.

"Stepping connected this court, it is nan astir beautiful tribunal I person played on," said nan 21-year-old. "I still get nerves erstwhile I play here.

"I practised for 45 minutes connected Thursday and it was nan first clip I was tense connected believe because I was playing connected this court."

Lajal, 21, battled difficult connected his first quality successful a Grand Slam main draw.

"Honestly it amazed maine a small spot because I haven't seen him playing aliases practicing excessively much," added Alcaraz.

"He has nan level to spell up a lot. He is really young, nan aforesaid property arsenic me, and I americium judge I americium going to spot him much often."

Alcaraz will look either Australian Aleksandar Vukic aliases Sebastian Ofner of Austria successful nan 2nd round.

Following his heavy tally astatine Roland Garros, Alcaraz's preparations for this year's Wimbledon person been limited.

He played conscionable 2 grass-court matches astatine Queen's wherever he suffered a astonishment second-round conclusion by Britain's Jack Draper.

The Spaniard looked somewhat rusty arsenic Lajal, classed 269th successful nan world, amazed nan Centre Court crowd erstwhile he struck nan first rustle for a 3-2 lead.

Alcaraz was capable to raise his level erstwhile it mattered, though, responding instantly pinch a break of his ain earlier taking power of nan tie-break to clinch nan opening set.

His frustrations continued successful nan 2nd set, pinch Lajal matching nan reigning champion's power pinch large hitting and crafty driblet shots arsenic nan brace exchanged early breaks.

But nan qualifier's assurance started to falter erstwhile Alcaraz collapsed to spell 6-5 up earlier serving retired nan set.

There was nary looking backmost for nan three-time awesome winner, who raced done nan 3rd group and fired location a fierce forehand victor connected his 2nd lucifer point.