Carlos Alcaraz launched his quest for a Career Grand Slam with a hard-fought straight-sets victory over Australian wildcard Adam Walton at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The Spanish star prevailed 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, firing eight aces and 38 winners to book a second-round meeting with Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann. However, the top seed was far from flawless, committing 36 unforced errors—more than his world No. 81 opponent.

“First of all, I’m really happy just to be back on court for the first time this season,” Alcaraz said after the match, having only played a light-hearted exhibition against rival Jannik Sinner in the build-up. “It couldn’t be better than playing on Rod Laver Arena.

“It was a good match. Adam hit some great shots and brought a really high level, so I had to stay focused. He was solid from the baseline, and his flat ball was difficult for me. Overall, I’m happy with how I played.”

Despite already owning six Grand Slam titles at just 22, success in Melbourne remains a missing piece in Alcaraz’s résumé. He has yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals in four appearances at the Australian Open, falling at that stage to Novak Djokovic last year and Alexander Zverev the season before.

Should he end that drought this fortnight, Alcaraz would become the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal, who achieved the feat at 24. He would also become the youngest player in the Open Era to claim seven major titles since Björn Borg, who did so at 23.

Although history suggested a comfortable win—Alcaraz has never lost a first-round match at a Grand Slam—Walton proved a stern test. The Australian held firm early as Alcaraz patiently searched for openings, eventually converting his fifth break point in the eighth game with a blistering forehand before serving out the opening set.

Walton then raised his level in the second set, breaking Alcaraz to move 3-1 ahead and pushing the Spaniard into a tense battle. Alcaraz recovered and was forced into a tie-break, where he shifted up a gear to assert control.

That momentum carried into the third set, as Alcaraz broke to love for a 4-2 lead and closed out the match with authority, underlining both his resilience and his intent as his Melbourne campaign gathers pace.