Carlos Alcaraz was impressed with his level early in his bid to complete a career Grand Slam, after an imperfect but entertaining 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win over Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko to ease into the Australian Open second round on Jan 13.
Four-time Major champion Alcaraz is targeting his maiden trophy at Melbourne Park to become the youngest man to capture all four Grand Slam titles and the 21-year-old went all guns blazing for an emphatic victory after a nervy opening game.
A mid-match dip notwithstanding, the world No. 3 Spaniard pulled off extraordinary shots which prompted retired Australian player John Millman to ask him after the contest what the secret to being such a "freak" was.
"I always say that it's hard work," a beaming Alcaraz said.
"I try to bring the best of me every day. That's the secret. Every day, I try to be a better person and better player."
The third seed, still fine-tuning a new service motion that he adopted in the off-season, fended off a break point and then broke in the third game to take full control of the opening set, which he wrapped up in double-quick time.
"I think I played a great level," Alcaraz, who did not contest any of the tune-up tournaments, told reporters later.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 14, 2025 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 14, 2025 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
SLITHERING DANGER IN AFRICA
The snake struck 11-year-old Beatrice Ndanu Munyoki as she sat on a small stone, which lay atop a larger one, watching the family's eight goats.
Bad Bunny to Stage 21-Concert Residency in Puerto Rico
Megastar Bad Bunny announced on Jan. 13 a 21-concert residency in his homeland Puerto Rico, with the first nine shows limited to the island's residents.
Sean Lau named Best Actor for record fifth time
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
Photographer Oliviero Toscani famed for controversial Benetton ads
Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, best known for his work on Benetton's provocative advertising campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s, including one featuring an Aids sufferer, died on Jan 13 aged 82.
Jisoo to put out second solo release on Valentine's Day
K-pop girl group Blackpink's Jisoo is set to return with a new release, almost two years after her solo debut.
Kate Winslet shines light on untold war story
British actress' biopic of World War II photographer Lee Miller took almost a decade to make
Los Angeles' wildfires are taking down storied architectural gems
To live in Los Angeles is to be regularly reminded that much of what surrounds its residents is fleeting. That pertains, most essentially, to human life and the natural world, as the deadly fires have reminded people.
Unstoppable casts light on single mum's struggle
As they try to help their children, parents often have to confront their own failings. This is one of the messages of the biographical sports drama Unstoppable, according to its star Jennifer Lopez.
Why West End Hits Get Panned in New York
\"Praise the lord for Tammy Faye,\" American filmmaker Matt Wolf cheered in The New York Times when the Elton John musical opened in London in 2022.
Childhood vaccines are not 'overloading' the immune system
It is an idea as popular as it is incorrect: American babies now receive too many vaccines, which overwhelm their immune systems and lead to conditions such as autism.