Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz qualifies for 2nd round at Wimbledon

By Can Erozden

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the second round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Monday.

The World No. 3 Spanish player beat Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal in straight sets of 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-2 to progress in the major tennis competition in London.

The Italian top seed in men's singles, Jannik Sinner, won against Germany's Yannick Hanfmann with sets of 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to play against his compatriot Matteo Berrettini in the second round.

In women's singles, Maria Sakkari, the Greek ninth seed, made a strong start at Wimbledon as she beat her US opponent McCartney Kessler with sets of 6-3, 6-1 in a first-round match.

American Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 in women's singles, booked her place in the second round with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over her compatriot Caroline Dolehide.

The 2024 Wimbledon Championships, which started Monday, will conclude on July 14.