Carlos Alcaraz survives shaky first-set to seal place in Wimbledon third round

The defending champion from Spain was broken twice by Australian world number 69 Vukic after serving for the opening set.

Vukic, 28, had form for upsetting the Spaniard, having beaten the then 17-year-old in French Open qualifying four years ago.

But there was to be no repeat as Alcaraz managed to break back to force a tie-break, which he dominated, and never looked back.

The 21-year-old went on to register victory, spending just an hour and 48 minutes on Court One.

"I'm really happy about my performance today," he said. "The first set was the key for me. He served for the set and then I played a really good tie-break.

"In the second and third I played a really high level so I'm really happy about it."

Alcaraz will face American Frances Tiafoe in the third round on Friday.

"I'm going for him," he added. "We played a really good match in the US Open. I know he is a really talented player, a tough one, even tougher on grass with his style.

"It's going to be a very difficult match for me. I'm ready to take that challenge, put on a show and hopefully take him."

Eighth seed Casper Ruud was sent crashing out, but it could hardly be classed as a shock.

The Norwegian is a two-time French Open runner-up, but his aversion to grass was evident again in a 6-4 7-5 6-7 (1) 6-3 defeat to Italian Fabio Fognini.

In five visits to SW19, 25-year-old Ruud has never made it past the second round.

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