'Formidable talent' Carlos Alcaraz sails into round two with win over Juan Ignacio Londero at French Open

ByEurosport

Updated 23/05/2022 at 10:44 GMT

Carlos Alcaraz won 14 of the last 16 games on offer to coast into the second round of the French Open courtesy of a comfortable win against Juan Ignacio Londero. The Spanish sensation sealed the victory with a bagel to secure a 29th win of an extraordinary season for the 19-year-old. Watch the French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Highlights: Alcaraz makes second round with comfortable Londero win

Carlos Alcaraz made light work of Juan Ignacio Londero, dispatching the Argentine 6-4 6-2 6-0 to progress to the second round of the French Open.

The match was finely poised at 4-4 in the first, but the Spanish sensation won 14 of the next 16 games to progress to round two.

Alcaraz is just 19 years old, but the power and poise on display was greater than the majority of the older players on the tour. Some of his forehand returns easily beat his experienced opponent not through placement, but from the sheer pace he could summon up.

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Alcaraz sealed the win with a bagel for his 29th win of an extraordinary year. The 19-year-old said prior to the tournament that he feels he has the potential to perform well at Grand Slams and he will take some stopping on this showing. Londero had not played poorly until defeat appeared inevitable, but the Spaniard ramped up the pressure as he increasingly conjured up one break point after another.

"I'm ready to play in Roland-Garros. I think I'm able to get great results in Grand Slams,” said Alcaraz at the Rome Masters.

“Roland-Garros is a good challenge for me.

"It's a bit different [playing five sets]. Playing best-of-five means more time on court, you have to be more focused during more time and playing these type of players is tougher, but we are ready."

Alcaraz discussed the speculation that he was now becoming one of the favourites for the Grand Slam, and he claimed he used the pressure as inspiration.

"People are going to think that I'm one of the favourites to win Roland Garros," he said. "I don't have it as tension, I have it as a motivation.

"This game helps me get into a rhythm and adapt to the court."