Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, made a triumphant return to action at the Davis Cup, leading Spain to a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in their first tie of group play.
Despite a slow start against Tomas Machac, who had previously defeated Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz found his footing in the second set, winning a vintage point that left Machac reeling. Alcaraz dominated the second set, winning every game, and looked poised to extend his lead in the third when Machac was forced to retire due to injury, with the score at 6-7 (3), 6-1.
Alcaraz’s victory was preceded by Roberto Bautista Agut’s 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka, giving Spain an early advantage in Group B’s round robin play. Spain will next face Team France, who lost a 2-1 tie to Australia on Tuesday.
Alcaraz’s return to form is a welcome sight for Spain, who are looking to defend their Davis Cup title. The 19-year-old has been in impressive form this year, winning two Grand Slams and reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. However, his shock exit in the second round of the US Open to Botic van de Zandschulp raised concerns about his fitness and form.
Alcaraz’s performance at the Davis Cup suggests that he has put his US Open disappointment behind him and is ready to challenge for more major titles. His victory over Machac was particularly impressive, as the Czech player had been in good form this year, reaching the semifinals of the Geneva Open and defeating Djokovic in the process.
Alcaraz’s return to action is a boost for Spain and for tennis fans around the world. The young Spaniard is one of the most exciting players to watch, and his performances this year have shown that he has the potential to become one of the greatest players of all time.
