Alcaraz Powers Past Shevchenko to Reach Australian Open Second Round

Carlos Alcaraz launched his Australian Open bid with a convincing 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win over Alexander Shevchenko, signaling his intent to make a deep run.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis star, began his quest for a first Australian Open title with a convincing straight-sets victory over Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko on Monday. Alcaraz, playing his first match of the season, demonstrated his impressive skills, overcoming a few challenging moments to secure a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win in Melbourne.

Alcaraz attributed his success to his hard work and dedication to continuous improvement. “There is no secret, I work, I try to be better every day,” he said. Alcaraz, who is bidding to become the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam, emphasized his commitment to self-improvement, both on and off the court. “I am trying to be a better person and player every day,” he added. Next, Alcaraz will face Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round, as he continues his pursuit of the Australian Open title.

100% in Grand Slam first rounds 💯

Carlos Alcaraz continues his perfect record with a straight sets win over Shevchenko! 🤩@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/zHiyv1sBMv

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, the four-time major champion and world number three, made a strong statement with a dominant first-set performance, romping through in barely half an hour. This impressive start set the tone for the match, showcasing Alcaraz's intent to make a deep run in the tournament.

Alexander Shevchenko, ranked 77th, put up a much stronger fight in the second set, pushing Alcaraz to raise his game. After Alcaraz secured an early break to take a 3-1 lead, Shevchenko broke back and held serve to level the score at 3-3. The Kazakh player then stunned the Melbourne crowd by breaking Alcaraz to take the lead. However, Alcaraz refused to back down, breaking back to level the score at 5-5. He ultimately took the second set with another break of serve, capitalizing on Shevchenko's error under pressure.

Lockin' it down. @carlosalcaraz won't be passed 🙅‍♂️@ANZ_AU • #ANZFalcon • #Defence • @espn • @eurosport • @wwos • #WOWOWtennis pic.twitter.com/wSetkh0IFX

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025

With Shevchenko's spirit broken, Alcaraz cruised to victory in one hour and 54 minutes. Reflecting on his performance and his aspirations for the tournament, Alcaraz said, “This is a tournament I really want to win one day, hopefully this year.” This statement underscores his determination to make a strong run in the Australian Open and potentially claim his first title in Melbourne.