Alcaraz makes winning start in Barcelona despite injury scare

Less than 48 hours after losing the Monte-Carlo Masters final to rival Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz survived an injury scare to defeat Otto Virtanen and reach the last 16 of the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard, who must win the tournament to reclaim the world No 1 spot from Sinner, defeated Finland's Virtanen 6-4 6-2 despite receiving a medical timeout for a wrist issue at the end of the first set.