Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina advance to Round 2 at Australian Open

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina advanced Tuesday to Round 2 of the 2024 Australian Open.

Spanish world no. 2 Alcaraz eliminated Richard Gasquet from France in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-1 and 6-2.

"I haven’t had a good run during the years that I’ve played here but I enjoy it a lot (in Australia). In the first set, I struggled a little bit with his game. Richard was playing great as well, but every set I’ve been playing better and better and in the end, I played quite a good level," Alcaraz said after the match.

The 20-year-old will face Italia's Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.

- Rybakina beats Russia's Anna Blinkova

Rybakina advanced on the women's side in the tournament.

The Ukrainian world no. 3 beat Czech Karolina Pliskova in straight sets, 7-6(6), 6-4.

"It was a really tough match for me," said Rybakina. "She played really well. It was not easy at all, especially a first round like this. But really happy I managed to win and survive the first (set). In the second, it was a bit better."

The 24-year-old will next take on Anna Blinkova from Russia.