Carlos Alcaraz impresses in Melbourne opener with win over Richard Gasquet

Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in the second round of the Australian Open after defeating Richard Gasquet in straight sets.

After a two-year break from Melbourne Park, Alcaraz was pushed to his limit by the former world No. 7 in a evenly matched first set before racing ahead and clinching a 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-2 victory after two hours and 22 minutes.

“It’s always great to play here in Australia,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview.

“This is the third time that I’m playing here. I didn’t have a good run the years that I played here, but I enjoyed it a lot and I missed it last year.

‘’Today I felt really good, playing here and I enjoyed in front of the crowd.

“I tried to get better. I think in the first set I struggled a little bit with his game and Richard was playing great as well.

‘’Every set, I played better and better, and in the end I think I played quite a good level.”

The Spaniard has been absent from the tour since competing at the Nitto ATP Finals in November and he admitted that he is still finding his feet.

‘’I need to get used to the competition again,” he told Eurosport’s Barbara Schett post-match.

“And it’s not easy to start a tournament, it’s a bit more complicated if I haven't played since two months ago.

“The first set was difficult for me, but every set I played better and better until the last set, and I ended the match playing at a good level.’’

Another tricky matchup awaits Alcaraz in the form of Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who he’ll face on Thursday.