Carlos Alcaraz proves French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory

Carlos Alcaraz lets rip

There was no messing around from Carlos Alcaraz in his opening clash at the 2022 French Open as he brushed aside Juan Ignacio Londero to reach the second round.

Having won back-to-back titles at the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open, Alcaraz made his way to Paris as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

And he delivered in stunning fashion on day one on Philippe-Chatrier with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 demolition of Londero in one hour and 50 minutes to take his 2022 record to 29-3.

The Argentine gave as good as he got in the first set with a solitary break of serve in game 10 earning Alcaraz the set, but the world No 6 upped the ante in the second set with two breaks before running away with the match.

Alcaraz, who was ranked No 97 when he made his Roland Garros debut last year, hit a total of 22 winners while he made 25 unforced errors.

“Juan Ignacio is a good player on clay and it was difficult first round game after a week without playing any matches,” Alcaraz, who opted to skip the Italian Open, said.

“I had to get used to the court at the beginning of the match but I finally found my rhythm.”

The 19-year-old will face fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the second round after the world No 42 defeated Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a four-hour encounter.

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