Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek zoomed into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday just as Germany’s Alexander Zverev put aside his trial over domestic abuse allegations at home to progress.
World No 2 Alcaraz was electric under the lights on Rod Laver Arena, demolishing French veteran Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-2 in his first competitive match of the year.
The Spaniard, gunning to unseat 10-time champion Novak Djokovic from the world No 1 spot, was tested in a tight first set but then moved through the gears, showcasing his full range of shot-making.
Alcaraz, who will next face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, said it was good to be back in Melbourne, where he has not been beyond the third round in his previous two visits. He missed last year’s tournament through injury.
“In the first set I struggled a little with his game,” he said. “He was playing great but I played better and better and at the end I reached quite a good level,” the 20-year-old said.
Earlier, Swiatek survived a tough test against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin to progress.
The Polish world No 1 came through 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 against the player she beat to win her first Grand Slam title, at the French Open in 2020.
In-form Swiatek, 22, twice came back from a break down in a gruelling first set lasting 68 minutes but stepped on the gas in the second set, winning the final five games to finish with a flourish.
The four-time major winner, now on a 17-match winning streak, next faces unseeded American Danielle Collins, who beat former winner Angelique Kerber.
“It wasn’t the easiest first round. She played really well. I tried to find my rhythm, especially in the first set,” said the top seed, who owns three Roland Garros crowns and another at the US Open.
Zverev took to Margaret Court Arena against fellow German Dominik Koepfer under the shadow of a looming court case.The world No 6 will go on trial at the end of May for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend in 2020.
According to reports by supersport.com, Zverev, who has strenuously denied the allegations, is accused of “physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument.
The German, who beat Koepfer in four sets, said he sees no reason to step down as an ATP Tour player representative over the issue, believing players had confidence in him.
