Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz opened his title defence at the Barcelona Open with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Nuno Borges.
The top-seeded Spaniard, No. 2 in the world, converted five of his seven break opportunities to secure the win at the Rafa Nadal center court on Tuesday.
“It's always different to play here, it's not just any other tournament for me,” the 19-year-old Alcaraz, who was awarded a bye in the opening round, said. “I'm at home, with the fans behind me. It's always nice and special.”
A two-time winner this year, Alcaraz is making his 2023 debut on the European clay-court tour. He had not competed since Miami in March, skipping Monte Carlo because of inflammation in his left hand and back pain.
“I feel great,” Alcaraz said. “Moving well, hitting the ball really well so I feel a lot of confidence playing here in Barcelona.”
Alcaraz's third round opponent will be fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the 13th seed who defeated Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 6-2. Frances Tiafoe lost 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4 to Emil Ruusuvuori.
Earlier, Casper Ruud reached the quarter finals for a second straight year by beating Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-6 (1).
The third-seeded Norwegian lost to Shelton last year in Cincinnati. “I wanted my revenge,” Ruud said. “I had a little bit more time here to build the points on clay."
