Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz launches Wimbledon title defence in style with straight sets win over fellow 21-year-old Mark Lajal 

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It is one thing to scare Carlos Alcaraz and quite another to cause an upset for the ages. But fair play to the qualifier with the wild hair — he got it half right and that is a half more than most will manage against the defending champion this fortnight.

If there was a single detail about Alcaraz’s first-round encounter with Mark Lajal on Monday that followed convention, it was found in the outcome.

The Spaniard turned up, he won and he did not drop a set in doing so. We might describe it as routine, but that would be a grossly unfair assessment of the chap on the other side of the net.

In going a break of serve ahead in each of the first two sets, this Estonian son of a motocross rider proved quite emphatically that his world ranking of 269 concealed some fun secrets. For the majority of the match, he pushed Alcaraz to all corners of the court via big serves and a violent forehand and in doing so dragged him to deeper places than we expected.

No one was more shocked than Alcaraz himself. ‘I was a little bit surprised about his level — I think Lajal played great,’ he said. ‘This level is not for his ranking. I’m sure if he is still playing at this level he’s going to increase his ranking, his level and everything.’

Carlos Alcaraz got his Wimbledon title defence off to an encouraging start on Monday

The 21-year-old Spaniard beat Mark Lajal 7-6 (3) 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 22 minutes

It is one measure of Lajal’s anonymity that this was his first match at Slam level and his welcome to such a world was a match against the man who has won three on three surfaces by the age of 21.

Incidentally, Alcaraz is only seven days older than Lajal (right) but a lightyear away in standing.

That being said, it is somewhat jarring to see him seeded third at Wimbledon and there is an associated frustration around the likelihood that he will face world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. Sinner last night dispatched Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in four sets on Court No 1 and most would have viewed a clash between him and Alcaraz as a natural final a fortnight down the line.

The latter’s chances of getting there will not be harmed by an unexpectedly tough contest in the first round — he certainly seemed to be sharp, even if he did blow half of the 10 break points that came his way. That might be attributed to rust but there was enough guile in his 7-6, 7-5, 6-2 win to assume another formidable run is coming.

Perhaps the biggest highlight was one drop shot in the third set that was so cushioned, so perfect, so loaded with spin, it barely bounced an inch. Lajal almost appeared ready to ask for an autograph.

Alcaraz, who succeeded in immediately breaking back after each of his blips in the first two sets, said: ‘Honestly, it’s difficult to start the tournament, to play the first rounds. The first match is always difficult to get used to the conditions of the year and I think he played more calm.

Lajal is ranked at world No 262, but he gave Alcaraz a slight scare with an impressive display

Alcaraz hailed his opponent but insisted he was happy with his display on the opening day

‘It was Centre Court and I think it was his first Grand Slam match. I think he played with nothing to lose and it’s even more difficult to play against someone like this. So I am really happy to get through, to get the win. Hopefully I keep going.

‘I’m happy about my level. I think I played a solid match, a great match. I think it’s a surface that I can put my style on. I achieved great things here on grass (last year). Every time that I walk on the court, I enjoy my game here.’

Less so at moments during this one, but he is up and moving.