Alcaraz begins his Wimbledon with a straight-set win, defending champion Rybakina beats Rogers

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) – In solely his third Wimbledon match, Carlos Alcaraz is already one of many fundamental males to beat.

The top-seeded Spaniard hasn’t been previous the fourth spherical on the All England Club, however he has turn into the first menace in Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record-equaling eighth males’s title on the grass-court Grand Slam.

On Tuesday, Alcaraz beat Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 on No. 1 Court – a becoming location for the No. 1 participant on the earth.

The match was performed below the roof as a result of rain affected play on the skin courts for the second straight day.

“Obviously without the roof, with sun, is much better for me. I think for everyone as well,” Alcaraz stated on courtroom. “With the roof or not, I have to show my best level.”

His finest led Alcaraz to his first main title on the U.S. Open final yr. He reached the ultimate at this yr’s French Open, however Djokovic ended up profitable his twenty third Grand Slam title in that match.

At Wimbledon, Alcaraz reached the second spherical in 2021, taking part in as a wild card. He made the fourth spherical final yr and entered this yr’s match after profitable the grass-court title at Queen’s Club.

The 36-year-old Chardy, who was taking part in at Wimbledon for the 14th time and at his 56th main total, deliberate to retire from the game after this yr’s match.

Kate, the Princess of Wales, was at a wet Wimbledon on Tuesday and sat within the Royal Box at Centre Court subsequent to Roger Federer, an eight-time champion who has retired from the game. Federer was feted earlier than play started.

Matches started on most courts shortly after 11 a.m. on the All England Club, however the tarps got here out because the rain got here down about an hour later.

Rain is forecast for a lot of the day Tuesday in southwest London.

Elena Rybakina opened play on Centre Court play in opposition to American opponent Shelby Rogers – the standard spot for the defending ladies’s champion. The defending males’s champion, Djokovic, had the consideration of beginning play in the primary stadium on Day 1.

Rybakina, who withdrew from the Eastbourne International final week citing a virus sickness, improved her serve after the primary set and beat Rogers 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

“I’m feeling much better,” she stated on courtroom. “It was a bit unlucky for me. It was not easy to get again to the fitness and physical condition, but now I’m much better. Hopefully this win gives me more confidence for the next round.”

Rybakina had additionally pulled out of the French Open due to an sickness and stated she was “pretty nervous” in the beginning of Tuesday’s match.

Djokovic’s match was delayed by rain Monday, and he even helped dry the courtroom earlier than play resumed. The seven-time champion ended up beating Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4).

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