World number one Carlos Alcaraz has launched his quest for a first Australian Open title with a commanding straight-sets victory over determined local hope Adam Walton. The Spanish superstar navigated a testing second set to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 win in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.
Alcaraz Eyes Career Grand Slam in Melbourne
The 22-year-old phenom arrived in Melbourne with a clear goal: to complete the career Grand Slam by claiming the only major trophy missing from his glittering collection. Despite his world-beating status, Alcaraz has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park, adding extra significance to this year's campaign. His powerful start against Walton marks an official and successful beginning to his new season.
Walton's Plucky Challenge on Rod Laver
Australian Adam Walton, aged 26, refused to be a mere spectator in his biggest career match. After dropping the first set, the Queenslander dug deep in the second, capitalising on unforced errors from Alcaraz to break serve and surge to a 3-1 lead. His aggressive play and solid positioning pushed the top seed, forcing a tiebreak. Alcaraz praised Walton's level post-match, noting the difficulty he presented and admitting the Aussie was often a step ahead during the second-set battle.
"I think Adam pulled off great shots, a great level in the match," Alcaraz said. "So I had to stay there. I think this kind of level and difficulty in the first round is pretty good for me to get ready for the next rounds."
Champion Shifts Gears to Seal Victory
The match's turning point came in the second-set tiebreak, where the five-time major champion found another gear. Alcaraz elevated his intensity, dominating the breaker 7-2 to take a commanding two-sets-to-love lead. From there, the contest was effectively over. The explosive Spaniard's brute power and clever shot selection took full effect in the third set, where he broke Walton's serve twice in a run of four consecutive games to close out the match.
Demonstrating supreme sportsmanship, Alcaraz applauded Walton off the court as the defeated but proud Australian exited the arena. The world number one expressed his overall happiness with his performance and the special feeling of officially starting his year at the iconic Rod Laver Arena. With this stylish first-round dismissal, Alcaraz has sent a clear message to the rest of the draw as he continues his pursuit of Australian Open glory.
