Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz survives scare, Daniil Medvedev storms into 2nd round

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fended off a valiant threat from World No. 269 Mark Lajal in the first round of Wimbledon 2024 in London on Monday, July 1. Alcaraz needed 2 hours and 23 minutes to beat Lajal 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2 in a pulsating battle at the center court as fans had their money’s worth. Lajal, playing in his first match in the main draw of a Grand Slam match, showed he is set for a bright future, pushing Alcaraz, matching him stroke for stroke in the first-round match.

“He surprised me,” Carlos Alcaraz said after the straight-set win in which he was tested. Alcaraz was dragged into the tie-breaker in the first set and just survived another tie-breaker in the second round. Lajal fired up the atmosphere on the center court, beating Alcaraz in his own game by playing a solid game near the net, hitting drop shots and lobs with precision. However, Alcaraz did enough to make sure he took a 2-0 lead before Lajal’s level dropped in the third set.

Wimbledon 2024: Full Coverage

Lajal did not throw in the towel even when he was facing a break point at 1-5 in the third set as he delayed the inevitable by a set and made sure he had a memorable run in Wimbledon after making the main draw as a qualifier.

Alcaraz will face the winner of a first-round match between Aleksandar Vukic and Sebastian Ofner in the second round on Wednesday. Alcaraz, who won the French Open last month, began his grass-court swing in Queen’s Club. However, he was not able to defend the title as he lost to Jack Draper in the second round.

MEDVEDEV AND DIMITROV THROUGH TO 2ND ROUND

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev needed just an hour and 47 minutes to progress to the second round of men’s singles, beating Aleksandar Kovacevic, World No. 88, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

“I’ve still never lost on Court One so hopefully I can play a lot more matches on this court,” a Medvedev said in an on-court interview.

“Last year I said it was unfortunate I had to go to Centre Court for the semis and I lost.”

Medvedev was in good serving form as he served as many as 16 aces.

10th seed Grigor Dimitrov also impressed in the first round, beating Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in straight sets to ease into the second round. Dimitrov has been in good form, reaching the quarter-final of the French Open, losing to eventual runner-up Jannik Sinner. He lost in the second round of Queen’s Club to Sebastian Korda.

39-year-old Stanislas Wawrinka began his campaign in Wimbledon, beating Charles Broom 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 50 minutes. Wawrinka will take on Gael Monifils in what promises to be an entertaining battle. Monfils defeated Adrian Mannarino, the 22nd seed, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.