Carlos Alcaraz begins title defence with straight-sets victory on Centre Court
The reigning men’s singles champion beat Mark Lajal.
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Carlos Alcaraz got his Wimbledon title defence off to an encouraging start with a straight-sets victory on Centre Court.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, seeded third this year, beat Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal 7-6 (3) 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 22 minutes.
Lajal, also 21 but ranked 266 places lower than Alcaraz, sported dreadlocks pulled back in a pineapple-style ponytail on his Wimbledon debut.
![Carlos Alcaraz hits a backhand in front of the Centre Court scoreboard](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/4d2c25a95fbf0b21c10ed7b753ab7400Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5OTMzMjMy/2.76717080.jpg?w=640)
But Alcaraz, who last month added the French Open to his Wimbledon and US Open titles, hit straight back and then eased through the gears.
“He played a really good match,” said Alcaraz. “Obviously he surprised me a little bit because I hadn’t seen him too much.
“He’s young, he’s my age and I’m sure I’m going to see him really soon on the tour and play him more often.
![Mark Lajal hits a sliced forehand on Centre Court](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/7abf771dfddb10a769b1a9eab451ef19Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5OTMzMTc3/2.76716830.jpg?w=640)
World number one Jannik Sinner, seeded to meet Alcaraz in the semi-finals, dropped a set against German near-namesake Yannick Hanfmann but still eased through.
The 22-year-old, who secured his first grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, triumphed 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-3 in a shade under three hours.
He will face a fellow Italian, former finalist Matteo Berrettini, in an eye-catching second-round tie.
![Jannik Sinner slides on the grass to hit a forehand](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/a64cdabaaecdb18beae43be23f84aa99Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5OTQ5NDYz/2.76719794.jpg?w=640)
The Russian has never lost a match on Court One, and was only beaten by Alcaraz in the semi-finals last year when he had to switch to Centre Court.
“I’m really happy with my level and I’ve still never lost on Court One, so hopefully I can play a lot more matches on this court,” he said.
“I said last year before the semis that it’s unfortunate I have to go to Centre Court, and I lost.
![Daniil Medvedev hits a backhand](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/5b01e27e13fdacd7b8b2edefd6384f1eY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5OTQ5NTAw/2.76716506.jpg?w=640)
Eighth seed Casper Ruud was a straight-sets winner over Alex Bolt, as was 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov against Dusan Lajovic.
Queen’s Club winner Tommy Paul, the American 12th seed, beat Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2 6-1 4-6 6-3.