Alcaraz starts Queen's defence with win

Carlos Alcaraz continued wherever he near disconnected connected nan British writer by starting his Queen's title defence pinch a straight-sets triumph complete Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.

The 21-year-old Spaniard won 6-1 7-5 successful his first lucifer connected writer since lifting nan Wimbledon title past year.

Alcaraz won nan 3rd awesome of his profession connected nan French Open clay earlier this month, earlier switching backmost to nan aboveground wherever he has played nan least.

It looked a comfortable modulation initially, but he ran into trouble successful his first-round lucifer against 26th-ranked Cerundolo.

However, nan world number 2 recovered to gain his 12th consecutive triumph connected a writer court.

"It doesn't matter what tournaments I'm playing, aliases everything I person achieved, I americium still learning," said Alcaraz.

"Every clip I measurement connected a writer tribunal I request to study really to move amended and play better."

Alcaraz dropped conscionable 14 points successful a one-sided first group earlier fighting backmost from a break down astatine 5-2 successful nan second.

Cerundolo could not service retired astatine 5-3 and had 3 group points astatine 5-4.

But he struck 2 backhands into nan net, either broadside of Alcaraz redeeming nan 2nd pinch an ace, arsenic nan Spaniard escaped to clasp for 5-5.

That proved costly arsenic Alcaraz collapsed for 6-5 and served retired to love.

"The first lucifer successful each tourney is ne'er easy but moreover much difficult present connected grass," said Alcaraz.

"Starting nan writer play you want a bully consequence and you person to woody pinch nan expectations you put connected yourself.

"It was a bully trial against Francisco. I'm really happy pinch what I've done and hopefully tin support going."

Alcaraz will play either caller British number 1 Jack Draper aliases Argentina's Mariano Navone successful nan 2nd round.