Carlos Alcaraz Advances at Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz, seeded third, began his Australian Open 2025 campaign with a dominant 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Alexander Shevchenko, securing his place in the second round. Despite facing a brief setback in the second set where Shevchenko surged ahead 5-3, Alcaraz regained control, finishing the match in under two hours and marking his 16th consecutive first-round win at the majors. The 21-year-old Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is aiming for his first Australian Open title, which would make him the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam. He displayed a powerful performance with six aces and 38 winners, overcoming four double faults and converting eight of 19 break points. Alcaraz's next challenge will be against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, who won his first-round match. Reflecting on his success, Alcaraz emphasized the importance of hard work and self-improvement in his journey.