Alcaraz 'stays tough' to help Spain to winning start

Positivity was the key for Carlos Alcaraz, as he returned to action after his shock US Open loss to help Spain get off to a winning start in the Davis Cup on Sept 11.

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The 21-year-old French Open and Wimbledon winner was knocked out of the Flushing Meadows Grand Slam in the second round in August.

With time on his hands, the world No. 3 Spaniard made an impromptu trip to Monza to watch the Formula One Italian Grand Prix and was back on the tennis court in Valencia as Spain opened their group-stage Finals campaign against the Czech Republic.

Roberto Bautista Agut bagged Spain's first point with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka.

Alcaraz then entered the fray, recovering from a 6-7 (3-7) first-set loss to Tomas Machac to wipe the floor in the second 6-1 before his opponent retired.

He followed that up by partnering Marcel Granollers to a tense 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) doubles win over Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek to claim the Group B tie 3-0.