Watch: Carlos Alcaraz's Miami Open 2R opponent Facundo Bagnis celebrates ironically after winning first game against Spaniard after losing 8 in a row

Carlos Alcaraz scored an emphatic win over Facundo Bagnis in his opening match at the 2023 Miami Open. The defending champion conceded just two games throughout the encounter to settle the scoreline at 6-0, 6-2 in his favor.

Facundo Bagnis was expectedly thrilled when he launched himself on the scoreboard (at 6-0, 2-1) after losing eight back-to-back games to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The Argentinian player’s relief and elation were evident as he celebrated the game win by throwing his racquet in the air.

Carlos Alcaraz required just 65 minutes to get the job done against the World No. 100. After the match, the Spaniard reflected on his overwhelming victory against Bagnis and stated that he was happy with his level in the match.

“Obviously, it wasn’t his day, but yeah, I played great for my first match here – getting used to these conditions. So, I’m really happy with the level today,” Carlos Alcaraz said in conversation with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj after the win.

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Carlos Alcaraz keeps his Miami Open title defense hopes alive

Carlos Alcaraz is the Miami Open defending champion

Carlos Alcaraz was a little late to the party this season, having had to pull out of the Australian Open. The 19-year-old, however, has made a splashing return ever since and has managed a near-perfect start to his 2023 season. The World No. 1 has registered just one loss in his first 16 matches so far. He has won two titles – the Argentina Open, and most recently, his third Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells.

The teenage Spaniard is now hoping to become the youngest player to win the Sunshine Double with his run at the ongoing Miami Open. The 2022 champion stated that he was optimistic about his chances at the event and revealed that he was well-rested and ready to defend his title.

“I feel prepared for this week. I had some days off to take rest a little bit. And of course I practiced twice here before starting the tournament. And after this match, it’s the perfect start. I feel ready for this tournament,” Alcaraz said after the match.

The Indian Wells winner also opened up on the varying conditions between the two tournaments of the Sunshine Double.

“For me it’s totally different tournaments [with] the conditions, you know,” he said.

The Miami Open witnesses more humid climatic conditions and has faster courts than those in Indian Wells. Alcaraz, however, noted that he acclimatizes to various circumstances pretty well.

“For me, it’s faster – the courts. So, I have to be ready and used to this court and this condition very well. But, I would say, I’m a guy who adapts his game very well on the condition – on the place that you are. But, yeah, [generally] it’s tough to get used to different conditions like this,” he said.

The one-time Grand Slam champion will now face off against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic for a spot in the final 16 of the event.