Carlos Alcaraz, seeded third in the tournament, faced a resilient challenge from Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal in his bid to defend his Wimbledon title. Despite a spirited effort from Lajal, Alcaraz ultimately triumphed with a 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-2 victory to advance to the second round on Monday.
The match saw Alcaraz, aiming for his fourth Grand Slam title following his recent French Open win, tested early on as he dropped serve in a closely contested first set. However, the Spaniard recovered to claim the set in a tiebreak. In the second set, Lajal broke Alcaraz early, but the Spaniard swiftly regained control, breaking back immediately and securing crucial breaks to take a commanding two-set lead.
Alcaraz continued to elevate his play in the third set, sealing the match with a spectacular backhand crosscourt winner that showcased his skill and determination on the famous Centre Court. His focused performance throughout the match underscored his status as a formidable contender in this year’s Wimbledon tournament.
