Carlos Alcaraz, the world No.3, has withstood a heavy barrage from big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to win 6-4 6-4 in his opening match at the China Open.
The French Open and Wimbledon champion took both of his break point opportunities, despite the No. 51-ranked Frenchman regularly sending down 140 mph serves.
Mpetshi Perricard won 83 per cent of the points behind his first serve but gave up costly errors at the beginning of each set, which Alcaraz was wily enough to capitalise on.
