Carlos Alcaraz was pushed all the way to reach the second round at Queen's, surviving a second-set surge from Australian Adam Walton. 

Fresh from his French Open triumph in an epic tussle with Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz was forced to save set points in the second on his way to a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory on Tuesday. 

Walton more than held his own in the opening set, but Alcaraz was able to break in the seventh game at the third time of asking before taking the early advantage. 

Not to be deterred by going a set down, Walton continued to cause his Spanish opponent problems, and was within inches of taking the match the distance in the ninth game. 

Against the serve, the world number 86 surged into a 40-15 lead, but the pressure proved too much as he was unable to convert his lead as Alcaraz defended admirably. 

The second set went to a tie-break with Alcaraz showcasing his class, sealing the victory with a brilliant forehand that Walton was unable to get anywhere near. 

Alcaraz will face either Jordan Thompson or compatriot Jaume Munar in the next round. 

Serving up the W

2023 champion @carlosalcaraz posts a 6-4, 7-6(4) scoreline Walton @QueensTennis | #HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/MagyIxoaI5

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 17, 2025

Earlier in the day, British number one Jack Draper eased into the last 16 with a straight-sets win over Jenson Brooksby in their first meeting since Indian Wells back in March. 

Draper emerged a 6-3 6-1 victor in one hour and 18 minutes, setting up a clash with Alexei Popyrin, who beat compatriot Aleksandar Vukic, for a place in the round of 16. 

It was just the result he needed on his return to competitive action after he was surprisingly beaten by Alexander Bublik in the fourth round at Roland-Garros. 

"It's tricky coming on to the grass after clay, to adapt. I'm hitting the ball a bit late, not on time," Draper said.

"The more matches and time I have on practice courts I'll get better and better, and it's definitely a surface I really enjoy playing on, and obviously a win helped as well.

"I'm excited to see how I can get on this week. I feel excited, I feel ready, and I want to do my best."

Data Debrief: Alcaraz's fine form continues as Draper flies the flag

Alcaraz's victory extends his winning streak to 14 matches dating back to the start of his Rome title run.

Going back to Monte-Carlo, where he also lifted the trophy, he has won 23 of his past 24 matches. He leads the ATP Tour in both wins (38) and titles (four) this year. 

Draper, meanwhile, was just the fourth British player to be a top-two seed at the tournament, but he did not let the pressure faze him in a dominant first-round display. 

The 23-year-old won 93% (27/29) of his first-serve points and did not face a break point, while also serving eight aces to Brooksby's two.