Carlos Alcaraz begins life post-split with Juan Carlos Ferrero with straight-sets win over Adam Walton in Australian Open first round

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Carlos Alcaraz got off to a winning start in his pursuit to become the youngest man to win the career Grand Slam, as he saw off Adam Walton in straight sets in the Australian Open first round. Alcaraz suffered a scare in a second set as Walton threatened to take a 4-1 lead, but the Spaniard fought back to overcome the break disadvantage, and put the tie beyond doubt.

Highlights: Alcaraz begins career Grand Slam bid with straight-sets win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carlos Alcaraz began competitive life after his split with long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero with a straight-sets victory over Adam Walton in the first round of the Australian Open.

Much of the focus of Alcaraz's first competitive appearance in 2026 was placed on how he might have been affected by the split with Ferrero, the coach with whom he won all six of his major titles.

And the verdict: much the same. Alcaraz's explosive, all-court game was largely on point, though the occasional lapses, for which he had previously drawn critics, were also evident. The world No. 1, though, ultimately beat his Australian counterpart 6-3 7-6(2) 6-2 - and perhaps was made to work a little harder for it than he would have wished.

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The pair traded blow-for-blow in the early exchanges. Without truly committing to any winners, Walton was largely equal to Alcaraz's all-action game, while landing all but one of his first serves in his opening three service games.

The Australian had to face break points in two of those games in order to maintain parity, but staved off the pressure in an assured manner, even catching Alcaraz with a well-timed ace for 3-3.

The Walton fortification came crumbling when a double fault gave Alcaraz three break points for 5-3. At his third attempt, the world No. 1 crunched the decisive blow - an irretrievable forehand winner down the line, filling the Rod Laver Arena air as he pumped his fist and belted "vamos!"

Watch 'phenomenal' recovery by Alcaraz as he shows off skills with wonder shot

Video credit: TNT Sports

The impressive home favourite, though, was the first one to strike in the second set, capitalising on some slack Alcaraz errors to find his first break of the evening. But the Spaniard would quickly find his way back to even footing, riled up and vocal over his every success and shortcoming, Alcaraz avoided falling 4-1 behind with a vital break back.

There was another cry of frustration from the Spaniard's corner when Walton ensured he would get at least a tie-break from the second set - pulling 6-5 ahead - but when Alcaraz did secure his hold, he found a timely wave of momentum, helped by a mini-capitulation from his opponent, which propelled the No. 1 two sets ahead.

Alcaraz, who is hunting the record to become the youngest man to win the career Grand Slam with only the Australian Open eluding him, struck the decisive blow when he took a break advantage for 4-2 in the third set, doubling up to seal a comfortable victory in a little over two hours.