Following a consistent first-round victory to open his quest for the title at Roland Garros, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz met Japanese player Taro Daniel for the first time at tour level Wednesday on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The opening day of second-round action in Paris saw the Spaniard claiming a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Daniel after two hours and 25 minutes in his bid to capture his second career major, a first at the French Open.
In his on-court interview, he said: “Taro was playing great. He is a really tough player, and this year he has won matches against great players.”
Adding: “The conditions were tough, but you have to adjust your game as best as you can.” “I was really focused on every shot. I played a great level, and [I am] happy with the win.”
The 20-year-old came out strong, destroying his opponent with his explosive forehand to pocket a 6-1 win in just 33 minutes.
Alcaraz broke twice the World No. 112 across the first set, winning 75 percent of the first serve points, while Daniel won just 43 percent on his.
As the second set wore on, the New York-born player adjusted his strategy, founding his rhythm from the baseline to quickly build a 3-0 advantage over an erratic Alcaraz.
With the score 1-3, the 10-time ATP titlist had committed six unforced errors, twice as much as his rival.
Overall, he would record 12 unforced errors throughout the second set to six from Daniel.
Unbothered by the wind whipping up clay across the court, the 30-year-old moved the Murcia native from side to side of the court while charging at the net with precision, winning 8 of 9 net approaches to close out 6-3 in 44 minutes, setting the match one set apiece.
The Spanish player regrouped, adding pressure to produce a double break, setting the tone of a fast-paced third set.
Wise on return, Alcaraz built upon a 4-0 advantage he earned after hitting a blazing forehand winner, marching to notch a 6-1 victory in just 35 minutes.
Going further ahead, he fired 14 winners to 7 unforced errors, connecting 5 of his trademark drop shots.
Picking up where he left off, the reigning U.S. Open champion landed a double break; in control of the fourth set, he broke again and served for the match, securing a 6-2 win with a forehand winner.
The youngest No. 1 seed at Roland Garros since Bjorn Borg (1976) was briefly tested by Daniel, who challenged his top opponent, displaying great tennis.
In the third round, Alcaraz will face 26th seed Denis Shapovalov, who beat Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 earlier in the day.
Shapovalov and Alcaraz have never played one another before on tour.