'Freak' Alcaraz puts on a show to crush Shevchenko at Australian Open

MELBOURNE : 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 Monday.

Four-times 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 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.

"Honestly, the first match of the season you never know how it's going to be. I had the confidence to think that I was going to be good, but you never know.

"I'm just really happy with the level that I played, with everything I've done today. But I really want to be better in the next round."

French Open and Wimbledon holder Alcaraz found his range with some devastating winners on both flanks and went up 3-1 in the second set but world number 77 Shevchenko won the next four games as fans on Margaret Court Arena got behind the