Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his latest bid for a career Grand Slam by dismantling unseeded Australian Adam Walton 6-3 7-6(2) 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday, as the world number one showcased the power and precision befitting a player chasing history.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who can eclipse Don Budge and become the youngest man to win all four major singles titles at least once, gave a packed Rod Laver Arena an exhibition in shot-making that had fans either glued to their seats or rising in ovation.
A ferocious forehand helped Alcaraz to grab the first break of the match for a 5-3 lead and the six-times Grand Slam champion closed out the opening set on his retooled serve, which now bears more than a passing resemblance to the delivery of Novak Djokovic.
That technical tweak followed Alcaraz's abrupt split last month with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, whose steadying influence was missing when the Spaniard was dragged into a second-set tiebreak after a spell of loose, crowd-pleasing tennis.
A ruthless Alcaraz came out all guns blazing to double his advantage in the clash and then rode the momentum to ease through the third set, booking a second-round meeting with Germany's Yannick Hanfmann.
Meanwhile, third seed Alexander Zverev dropped the first set but came back to beat Canada's Gabriel Diallo 6-7(1) 6-1 6-4 6-2. A finalist last year, the German looked rusty early on but settled in the second set and soon got his big serve booming, firing down 15 aces to move into the next round.
Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, the 10th seed, faced few problems as he overcame American Jenson Brooksby 6-4 6-4 6-4 to reach the second round.
Bublik, known for his phenomenal touch and penchant for trick shots, is in fine form and broke into the top 10 for the first time in his career this month after winning the Hong Kong Open.
American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe beat home favourite Jason Kubler 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2. Tiafoe's compatriot Michael Zheng defeated another player from the United States, Sebastian Korda, 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-7(0) 6-3 to advance.
But Flavio Cobolli becomes the first men's seed to be eliminated. The Italian 20th seed lost 7-6(1) 6-4 6-1 to British qualifier Arthur Fery.
Cobolli appeared to be battling illness during the match and received medical attention in the third set.
