Alcaraz, Medvedev win Beijing openers

BEIJING, Sept 27 (AFP): Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev both won in straight sets to launch their China Open title bids Friday while 595th-ranked Zhang Shuai pulled off a big shock in the women's draw.

Four-time major champion Alcaraz defeated fellow 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-4 and faces Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in round two in Beijing.

Alcaraz, who went out in the second round of the US Open last month, made a blistering start against the 51st-ranked Frenchman by breaking serve in the first game.

The Spanish second seed then faced three break points as he served for the first set, but he saved them all on the way to wrapping up the set in style.

"Saving three break points and be able to close the first set, it was really important for me," he said.