No. 3-ranked Carlos Alcaraz handled a strong challenge from big-server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to win 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the China Open on Friday.
Second-seeded Alcaraz took advantage of both of his break point chances, even though the No. 51-ranked French player was regularly hitting serves at 140 mph (225 kph).
Mpetshi Perricard won 83% of the points on his first serve but made crucial errors at the start of each set, which Alcaraz skillfully took advantage of.
“The plan was just to put as many returns in as I can,” Alcaraz said. “Honestly it wasn’t easy. He’s a really powerful player. Big serve, big shots from the baseline. So I had to be really focused.”
Daniil Medvedev also progressed smoothly, winning 6-3, 6-4 against French veteran Gael Monfils.
Roman Safiullin, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser from qualifying, defeated three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4 and will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner.
Sixth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti and seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov also moved on.
In the women’s draw, second-seeded Jessica Pegula started her campaign with a win against Diane Parry of France, finishing 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Pegula broke Parry’s serve three times in the quick first set. The second set saw both players exchange breaks before the U.S. Open finalist won the last five points of the tiebreak.
The American will next play No. 32 seed Veronika Kudermetova, who defeated China’s Wang Xinyu 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka came back from a set down to beat Yulia Putintseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Osaka will face American Katie Volynets in the third round.
Sixth-seeded Emma Navarro was upset by Chinese wild card Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-2, while 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider won against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-2, 6-3.
U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will compete on Saturday against Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
