London: Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion with an insatiable hunger for victory, delivered a masterclass here yesterday, dispatching qualifier Mark Lajal in straight sets, 7-6(3) 7-5 6-2.

Fresh off his triumph at Roland Garros, the 21-year-old Spaniard seamlessly transitioned his electrifying game from clay to grass, dazzling spectators at the esteemed All England Club.

Lajal, making his Grand Slam debut with fearless determination, pushed Alcaraz to a tie-break in the opening set, showcasing commendable resilience. However, it was Alcaraz’s unwavering resolve and ravishing shot-making that ultimately stole the show, captivating Centre Court with a commanding performance lasting two hours and 23 minutes.

With aspirations of claiming consecutive Grand Slam titles, Alcaraz now eyes a clash in the second round against either Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic or Austria’s Sebastian Ofner. The draw presents a tantalizing prospect, with top seed Jannik Sinner also looming in Alcaraz’s path, setting the stage for potential fireworks in the upcoming rounds.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the draw, second seed Novak Djokovic and fourth seed Alexander Zverev await their own challenges, ensuring a thrilling fortnight of tennis ahead at the prestigious tournament.

Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka’s triumphant return to Wimbledon showcased a rollercoaster of resilience and skill, as she stormed past Diane Parry in an enchanting match that underscored her championship mettle. The four-time Grand Slam winner stormed through the first set with breathtaking dominance, firing off winners and breaking Parry’s serve twice to clinch a 6-1 lead. Yet, just as spectators braced for a quick finish, the narrative took an unexpected turn.

Parry, undeterred by Osaka’s initial onslaught, regrouped swiftly to claim the second set decisively at 6-1, taking advantage on Osaka’s uncharacteristic errors.

As the match entered the decisive third set, tension mounted with each exchange. Parry surged ahead with early breaks, forcing Osaka to battle from behind. The Japanese star, however, refused to yield, clawing her way back to level the set.

The seesaw continued with both players trading breaks until Osaka steadied herself when it mattered most. Fending off break points in a nerve-wracking ninth game, Osaka held her nerve to seal a hard-fought 6-4 victory in the final set.

Catch the live action on Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar from 3.30 pm