World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is off to a winning start at the ATP 500 event in Beijing. Last year’s semi-finalist faced another young gun, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, in the first round and scored a 6-4, 6-4 victory in an hour and 21 minutes, earning his 44th win of the season. The Spaniard claimed 11 points more than the Frenchman. He took charge in the pivotal moments, defending all three break points and stealing the rival’s serve two times from as many opportunities in the early stages of both sets to seal the deal. Giovanni served at 44% and plagued his chances, struggling behind the second serve and missing his chances in the closing stages of the opening set. Alcaraz served well outside that one loose game, defending his second serve superbly and landing 18 winners and 15 unforced errors.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
Carlos Alcaraz took down Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard in the Beijing first round.
The Spaniard matched the rival’s service winners and rushed to the net almost 20 times. Mpetshi Perricard kicked off the action and faced issues after missing a routine forehand. Carlos attacked on the return and seized a break point after the rival’s backhand error, building an early advantage and cementing it with a hold at 15 in game two after a forced error. The Spaniard squandered a 40-0 lead in the fourth game before holding after a deuce, targeting the Frenchman’s backhand and staying in front. World no. 3 served well in games six and eight, holding at love with a serve & volley combo and opening a 5-3 advantage. Giovanni served well after that early break he suffered, holding in game nine and prolonging the set.
Carlos Alcaraz, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
He attacked on the return in the tenth game, generating three break chances. Alcaraz denied them and held, taking the opener 6-4 in 44 minutes. Like in the opener, Mpetshi Perricard played a loose service game at the beginning of the second set. World no. 3 secured a break after the rival’s forehand error, opening a set and a break advantage. They served well in the upcoming games, and the Spaniard forged a 4-2 advantage with winners in game six. Giovanni faced no issues behind the initial shot after losing serve, following the rival’s pace and holding in game nine to prolong the battle. Alcaraz served for the win at 5-4 and held at love with a forced error, booking a place in the second round.