FEW CAN ESCAPE FROM ALCARAZ

Chardy says Carlos is on Djokovic level

- Neil McLeman

CARLOS ALCARAZ sent Jeremy Chardy into retirement with a ruthless display under the Court One roof - and was then backed to win Wimbledon by the London-based Frenchman.

The world No.1 had needed five sets to get past the first round in his previous two appearances here. But the US Open champion took only 22 minutes to race to the first set.

Chardy finally got on the scoreboard after losing the first eight games as Alcaraz toyed with him like a Spanish matador for the opening two sets with his pace, power and precision.