Jordan Thompson has admitted that his Wimbledon second round dream date with Novak Djokovic could turn into a nightmare.
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It is thus to be hoped the Australian world No.70 did not spend the tournament's rain-hit second afternoon watching Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic's main threat, toying with Jeremy Chardy.
Alcaraz made Chardy, a one-time Junior Wimbledon champ and a former top-25 player, look every day of his 36 years as he dragged the Frenchman left and right across No.1 Court to sweep into the second round.
This was Chardy's 14th Wimbledon and he revealed beforehand it is to be the last singles event of his career.
A Wimbledon showcourt is a great place to bow out, but for an hour the veteran must have wondered if it was a match too far.
The contest was so one-sided at one stage Alcaraz even challenged a serve on the Frenchman's behalf.
The first set took 22 minutes, the second 32.
The third, however, took longer than the opening two combined.
With the tie in the bag the 20-year-old US Open champion eased up, a mixture of his concentration dropping, a measure of experimentation being introduced, and Chardy playing with boldness and freedom.
At 3-2 Chardy forced his first break points, rolling back the years to force four of them, clinching the game on the fourth to take 4-2 lead.
Alcaraz, however, broke back immediately and moved back up the gears to seal victory 6-0 6-2 7-5.
Alcaraz is top seed and the world No.1. The man Thompson plays on Day 3 is second seed and world No.2, but Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times whereas Alcaraz is yet to go past the fourth round.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard's victory at Queen's, where he beat Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur in the final, suggested he is adapting very quickly to playing on grass.
"It is so beautiful to play on grass," said Alcaraz, "and I learn from more time on court."
Alcaraz, who said his '"goal is to win the tournament", admitted he will be advantaged by being one of just three players in his half of the draw to complete their first round match on Day 2.
With rain falling steadily in SW19 all were played under roof cover. On No.1 Court Alcaraz was followed by British No.1 Cameron Norrie, who beat Tomas Machac 6-3 4-6 6-1 6-4.
On Centre Court, with by play on outside courts long-abandoned, metal-hipped Andy Murray joined them in the second round after brushing aside Ryan Peniston 6-3 6-0 6-1 in an all-British-tie.
The players under the roof are more lucky", said Alcaraz. "For me it is really good."
His next opponent will be the winner of the suspended all-French tie between Alexandre Muller and Arthur Rinderknech. Muller was one set and one match up when the covers went on.
The only downside for Alcaraz was that returning eight-time champion Roger Federer watched the action on Centre Court, not his match.
"I'm jealous," he said. "I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches obviously and wish to talk with him, it would be amazing for me."
Australian Associated Press
