Carlos Alcarez Dominates On Return To Australian Open 2024 As Iga Swiatek Shines

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek powered into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday as Germany's Alexander Zverev put aside legal worries at home to progress. World number two Alcaraz was electric under the lights on Rod Laver Arena, demolishing French veteran Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-2 in his first competitive match of the year. The Spaniard, gunning to unseat 10-time champion Novak Djokovic from the world number one spot, was tested in a tight first set but then moved through the gears, showcasing his full range of shot-making. Alcaraz, who will next face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego, said it was good to be back in Melbourne, where he has not been beyond the third round in his previous two visits.

He missed last year's tournament through injury.

"In the first set I struggled a little with his game," he said. "He was playing great but I played better and better and at the end I reached quite a good level." 

The 20-year-old, clad in a sleeveless yellow T-shirt, admitted he sometimes tries to play "impossible shots", including volleys and dropshots, to please his fans.

Earlier, Swiatek survived a tough test against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin to progress.

The Polish world number one came through 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 against the player she beat to win her first Grand Slam title, at the French Open in 2020. 

In-form Swiatek, 22, twice came back from a break down in a gruelling first set lasting 68 minutes but stepped on the gas in the second set, winning the final five games to finish with a flourish.

The four-time major winner, now on a 17-match winning streak, next faces unseeded American Danielle Collins, who beat former winner Angelique Kerber.

"It wasn't the easiest first round. She played