Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz vs Mark Lajal preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming details

Three-time Grand Slam champion, Carlos Alcaraz, will be defending his title at Wimbledon 2024.

Carlos Alcaraz will start his Wimbledon title defense in the center court on the opening day of the oldest Grand Slam in history. Year 2024 has been a classic year for a Spaniard, starting with his quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open, where he went down to Alexander Zverev.

He took his revenge against the German in the next Grand Slam by beating him in the finals of Roland Garros to win his first Major on Clay. Buoyed by confidence, Alcaraz moved into the Grass courts of Queen’s Club and suffered a shocker at the hands of Jack Draper in the second round. The 21-year-old is coming into the tournament again to prove his capability in the grass courts.

At Wimbledon 2024, defending champion Alcaraz will be taking on Mark Lajal, who will be making his Grand Slam main draw debut. Not many people get to debut at the center court of SW19 and the Estonian will be one of the lucky ones to get it. Lajal will not only cherish the moment but also relish the challenge of facing one of the bright talents of the circuit.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Mark Lajal match details

• Date: July 1, 2024
• Time: 6:00 PM (Tentative)
• Venue: All England Tennis Club, Centre Court

Carlos Alcaraz vs Mark Lajal preview

His title at the Roland Garros ensured that the spotlight for the next decade or so will be on Carlos Alcaraz. It is not about the titles but about the effort to win it. Just a year back, when everyone was questioning if Alcaraz could adapt to the Grass Courts and if could he ensure not to lapse his concentration. To make it right, he watched the videos of his predecessors on how it was made right.

He watched the videos of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray as the quartet had won the last 19 championships. It helped him become the first to break that streak. It is even more interesting that this year he is watching his own videos to repeat the good habits he cultivated in the Southwest Area of London to lift another title.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz’s projected path to Wimbledon 2024 final

With all the talks of Grand Slams and spotlight on one side, there is another 21-year-old in the form of Mark Lajal who will also be Alcaraz’s first-round opponent. Early in his career, the Estonian has shown moments of brilliance with a come-from-behind victory in the first qualifier and a straight-set victory over the fourth-seeded James Duckworth to book his place in the main draw.

Head-to-Head

Matches – 0

Carlos Alcaraz – 0

Mark Lajal – 0

This will be the first meeting between the qualifier Mark Lajal and the World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz.

Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Carlos Alcaraz vs Mark Lajal, Wimbledon 2024 first-round match in India?

The first-round match between Carlos Alcaraz and Mark Lajal will be available for Indian viewers courtesy of Star Sports Network’s TV channel bouquet and its streaming service Hotstar.

Prediction

Before the 2023 Championships, Alcaraz had some success on grass last year with a title at the Queen’s Club Championships. However, the Spaniard has not replicated that form leading up to the third Slam of 2024. Few players in the history of the sport have achieved as much success in Grand Slams as Alcaraz, who won three major titles at the age of 21.

Alcaraz can accomplish the uncommon double of winning Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the same season this week. It will be interesting to observe how the current world no. #3 plays in what promises to be a well-contested Wimbledon. His opponent the world No. 262 qualified for the tournament this year after defeating James Duckworth, Henrique Rocha, and Francesco Passaro in the qualifying round.

The Estonian faces a different challenge while facing Alcaraz, who is seeded third in the Grand Slam. Lajal is taller than Alcaraz, who himself stands at six feet. The Estonian’s serve has been one of the talking points during the qualifier and could be his primary weapon against the defending champion. It could help him cause ripples but might not be enough to cause an upset.

Result: Carlos Alcaraz to win in straight sets.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram