Carlos Alcaraz beat Argentine qualifier Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2 7-5 to start his title defence at the IEB+Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.
Alcaraz was playing his first match since losing in the quarter finals at the Australian Open last January.
The match started with four consecutive breaks of serve. Carabelli broke serve with a passing shot down the line to take a 2-1 lead. Alcaraz broke straight back and held the first service game with a forehand down the line to take a 3-2 lead. Alcaraz broke twice in the sixth and eighth games to win the first set 6-2.
Carabelli broke Alcaraz in the first game of the second set. The Argentine player fended off six break points in a marathon fourth game before Alcaraz broke on his seventh break point to draw level to 2-2. Alcaraz broke serve to love in the sixth game with a drap shot and held serve to open up a 5-2 lead. Carabelli broke back when Alcaraz was serving for the match in the ninth game. The home player fended off another match point in the 10th game to draw level to 5-5 but he did not convert three break points at 0-40 on Alcaraz’s serve. Alcaraz won nine of the final 10 points and sealed the second set 7-5 with a break in the 12th game.
“It was a really tough match. He is a really good fighter. He was really tough to beat in the match. I am happy with my first match on clay since Roland Garros. Hopefully I can keep going better and better”, said Alcaraz.
Federico Coria came back from one set down to beat Cameron Norrie 4-6 6-4 6-3. Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori upset Laslo Djere 6-4 7-5.
