Alcaraz sticks to his plan to break French barrage

Carlos Alcaraz, the world No.3, has withstood a heavy barrage from big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to win 6-4 6-4 in his opening match on the China Open.

The French Open and Wimbledon champion took each of his break level alternatives, regardless of the No. 51-ranked Frenchman repeatedly sending down 140 mph serves.

Mpetshi Perricard received 83 per cent of the factors behind his first serve however gave up pricey errors at first of every set, which Alcaraz was wily sufficient to capitalise on.

“The plan was simply to place as many returns in as I can,” Alcaraz stated. “Truthfully it wasn’t simple. He is a extremely highly effective participant. Huge serve, large pictures from the baseline. So I needed to be actually targeted.”

Daniil Medvedev safely navigated a difficult first outing, 6-3 6-4 in opposition to French veteran Gael Monfils.

Roman Safiullin, who made the principle draw as a fortunate loser in qualifying, beat three-time main winner Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-4 and can face top-ranked Jannik Sinner.

In the meantime on the Japan Open, second-seeded Hubert Hurkacz misplaced to US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper 6-4 6-4 within the second spherical in Tokyo, a day after top-seeded Taylor Fritz and third-seeded Casper Ruud had been eradicated.

Whereas Draper and Hurkacz had been evenly matched on aces and winners, it was the Polish participant’s 30 unforced errors, to Draper’s 20, that proved pricey. Draper will subsequent play Brandon Nakashima or Ugo Humbert within the quarterfinals.

Defending champion Ben Shelton additionally reached the quarters after defeating Mariano Navone 6-4 6-3. Shelton, together with Fritz, travelled to Japan from the Laver Cup in Berlin, the place they represented Staff World in a loss to Alcaraz’s Staff Europe.

Matteo Berrettini took the opening set tiebreak in opposition to Arthur Fils, of France, earlier than the Italian retired from the match with an harm.