Top seed Carlos Alcaraz opened his Wimbledon campaign in ruthless fashion by sending French veteran Jeremy Chardy into retirement with a 6-0 6-2 7-5 drubbing while Roger Federer received a royal seal of approval on Centre Court
The 20-year-old Spaniard won 6-0 6-2 7-5 in an hour and 53 minutes under the roof on Court One to lay down a serious marker.
Chardy, 36, waved goodbye to the Wimbledon crowd in what was his final match before retiring – 18 years after winning the Wimbledon boys’ title
“I think I played really well at the beginning of the match but in the third set he showed his level,” said Alcaraz.
“I like to play rallies and battles, let’s say, and I’m really happy to have played at a great level and get through this first round.
Without the roof and sun, it’s better for me and everyone, but I have to be really focused. The sound of the ball with the roof is beautiful.”
Chardy, who reached a career-high of 25 in the world, had said beforehand the match would “be a great end, no matter what”.
He may have revised that opinion after a first set that lasted just 22 minutes and in which he could not buy a first serve, throwing in seven double faults to hand Alcaraz a bagel for lunch.
The match began at just after 1 pm, but it was nearly quarter-to-two by the time Chardy finally got a game on the board.
Alcaraz had only ever played six matches on grass before Queen’s. But, all venomous serves, thunderous forehands, sliced backhands, and the occasional beautifully disguised drop shot, he now looks ominously at home on the surface.
SOURCE: SKY SPORTS
