Alcaraz ‘super ecstatic’ for Raducanu dream-team– as Spaniard advances

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inform the story From reproductive rights to climate modification to Huge Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American ladies defending reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a defining moment in US history, we need press reporters on the ground. Your donation permits us to keep sending reporters to speak with both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans throughout the entire political spectrum. And unlike numerous other quality news outlets, we pick not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. Our company believe quality journalism ought to be available to everyone, paid for by those who can pay for it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more A fortnight out from Wimbledon, with All England Club defending champ Carlos Alcaraz beginning his grass-court project in the 27C sunshine at Queen’s Club, it is highly uncommon for another grand slam to steal the limelight. Yet in New York City, they do not care what feathers they ruffle on the streets of Kensington or Southfields. Earlier this year, the US Open announced a new-look blended doubles competition to happen in the week preceding the significant. With a winning handbag of$1m, top singles players have actually been encouraged to take part in a two-day, quick-scoring format. For the custom of grand-slam tennis, it is rather the radical shake-up, while for doubles professionals, some reliant on the incomes of combined tennis, it amounts to something near to a slap in the face. Yet on these shores, there’s no doubting where the primary stardust pairing lies. Five-time significant winner Alcaraz, the sport’s most popular home today, is set to compete in a box-office duo alongside

British No 1 Emma Raducanu. open image in gallery Carlos Alcaraz will play blended doubles with Emma Raducanu at the United States Open(Getty)As such, with the greatest of regard to Alcaraz’s first-round challenger at Queen’s– Australian fortunate loser Adam Walton– the hot subject in

the press space was not the

Spaniard’s strong if unspectacular 6-4 7-6( 4)win, his 14th success in a row. It was the formation of”AlcarCanu “.”She’s going to be in charge!”he said, with a broad smile in his interview.”The United States Open pertained to us and provided us the chance to play blended doubles and I’m very delighted about it. It’s going to be fantastic.”I’ve understood Emma a truly very long time and I have a truly good relationship with her, it’s going to be fascinating. The tournament told us about the blended competition and I was believing it couldn’t be better than Emma. I asked Emma if she wanted to play doubles with me and yeah, I made that unique request.

“Asked if she said ‘yes’straight away, Alcaraz humorously responded:”She took a while! She needed to think a bit!”On court, one break of serve was enough for Alcaraz in the first set sunlight where Walton– who filled in at three hours notification for the ill Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who got married at the weekend–

offered a decent account of himself early on. The world No 86 looked to go toe to toe with Alcaraz in a series

of prolonged rallies and while Alcaraz– in his very first match because that astonishing Roland Garros triumph versus Jannik Sinner– took some time to find his range in front of a sold-out crowd at Andy Murray Arena, his supremacy showed in the clutch minutes. Get 4 months free with ExpressVPN Servers in 105 Countries Superior Speeds Works on all your devices Pursue complimentary AD. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This profits helps to fund journalism throughout The Independent.

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your devices Try for totally free ADVERTISEMENT. If you register to this service we will earn commission. This profits assists to fund journalism across The Independent.The second was similarly nip and tuck, with Walton cleaning the lines and, after three uncharacteristic Alcaraz errors, the Australian was one point far from the set. Yet if his magnificent Paris comeback showed us anything, it is how Alcaraz can reach another stratosphere at the huge moments. 4 irretrievable very first serves sawhim weave his

escape of trouble.< img src= "https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/06/17/16/48/GettyImages-2220592865.jpg"alt ="Alcaraz was playing his very first

match because his marvelous French Open victory “/ > open image in gallery Alcaraz was playing his first match because his marvelous French Open accomplishment(Getty ) open image in gallery Alcaraz advanced to the second round at Queen

‘s(Getty)To a tiebreak they went, where one quickfire exchange at 4-4 at the net saw Alcaraz come out on top, with a backhand volley

that dipped perfectly listed below the baseline. That mini-break sufficed; he ‘d declare the next 2 points on serve,crisply sealing his spot in the second round with a hallmark forehand winner crosscourt. While Alcaraz was pushed and prodded, second seed Jack Draper, who beat Alcaraz here last year, wasted no time in his very first match on lawn. As temperatures increased( one spectator in the stands fainted), Draper cranked through the equipments worry-free in

a dominant 77-minute outing. The British No 1, now world No 6 heading into the Wimbledon fortnight and pushing for a top-four seeding, started the match with a declaration first point, cleaning the line with an on-the-run forehand winner.

Beginning how he suggests to go on, Draper won 10 of the last 11 games and secured a dominant 6-3, 6-1 success with an ace up the T against unconventional American player Jenson Brooksby. Much to the pleasure of the British crowd.”Excellent to be home,”Draper wrote on the courtside cam, as he eagerly anticipates a stretch of the season he can spend down the road at his home in Putney. open image in gallery Jack Draper will face Australian Alexei Popyrin next after a comfy opener at Queen’s (PA)

After a comfy opener, a harder match waits for the 23-year-old in the last 16 on Thursday, in the form of big-hitting Australian Alexei Popyrin. However what of his collaboration with China’s Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in New York City?

“I think it’ll be fun to get out there and play with her,” he said, of a duo formed through their IMG agency.

“I’ll certainly play. It’s a great format for the players to get ready for the United States Open, having a shot at having fun with another top player. Qinwen is a terrific player and has a really great game.”

Asked why an all-British pairing with Raducanu did not pertain to fruition, Draper was generous in his offering. “A wise individual as soon as informed me you ought to find the best partner,” he stated. “Which’s exactly what she did in Alcaraz!

“I don’t blame her for that. She will have a great deal of enjoyable playing with Carlos.”