Alcaraz starts Madrid Open defence with quick win

Carlos Alcaraz suffered an ankle injury in February before returning to defend his Indian Wells title in March

Carlos Alcaraz started his Madrid Open title defence with a comfortable victory over Alexander Shevchenko.

World number three Alcaraz, 20, eased to a 6-2 6-1 win against Kazakhstan’s Shevchenko.

The Wimbledon champion dominated throughout in a statement performance, with 23-year-old Shevchenko unable to match his pace and flair.

It was a welcome return to the clay for Spaniard Alcaraz after a right forearm injury caused him to withdraw from last week’s Barcelona Open.

Alcaraz will face Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild in the third round.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Britain’s Jack Draper suffered a 6-1 7-5 defeat by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

Draper, 22, started slowly and was punished by the world number nine, who clinched the first set with ease.

Draper fought back in the second but a double fault allowed Hurkacz to serve for the match and wrap up victory inside 77 minutes.

In the women’s draw, two-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the third round with a hard-fought 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over Poland’s Magda Linette.

Kazakhstan’s former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, fresh from beating Iga Swiatek on the way to last week’s Stuttgart title, was a 6-4 6-3 winner against Italian Lucia Bronzetti.

Britain’s Katie Boulter faces American Robin Montgomery later on Friday and victory would see her face Sabalenka in the next round.