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LONDON: Carlos Alcaraz came through a testing first-round match against Adam Walton at Queen’s on Tuesday as the top seed returned to action for the first time since his dramatic French Open triumph.

But two of the world’s top 10 crashed out as Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton lost to French duo Corentin Moutet and Arthur Rinderknech respectively.

Alcaraz, back on grass for the first time since winning his second Wimbledon title last year, beat his 86th-ranked opponent 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on a sweaty day in west London.

The Spaniard, who overcame Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at Roland Garros just nine days ago, broke in the seventh game and went on to clinch the first set against lucky loser Walton, who replaced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after he withdrew due to illness.

The 2023 Queen’s champion appeared to have found his rhythm only for Walton to rally impressively, carving out two set points on his opponent’s serve in the 10th game.

But the Australian failed to convert either of them and Alcaraz levelled, coming out on top in the subsequent tie-break.

Alcaraz scribbled “Grass season, here we go!” on the courtside camera lens, thanking fans for their vocal support and saying he felt “loved” in London.

“First match on grass is never easy to get used to the competition again, to get used to the grass again,” he said. “So, I just want to say thank you for helping me a little bit.”

The world No.2 said he had taken time away from tennis after his gruelling French Open triumph to “reset” his mind and rest.

“I’m just really happy with the performance that I had today,” he said. “First match, I feel great. Obviously, a lot of things to improve, a lot of things that I have to put into work just to feel a little bit more comfortable on the grass. But in general, I’m just happy to get through.”

Alcaraz faces compatriot Jaume Munar in the last 16.

World No. 4 Fritz failed to convert a match point against Moutet before losing 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (9/7), 7-5.

Moutet held on in the second set tie-break before securing the only break of serve in the match in the final game.

Sheldon also stumbled to a shock early exit to Rinderknech in two tie-breaks 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4).

Earlier, British second seed Jack Draper dispatched American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round.

The left-hander, who has previously beaten Sinner and Alcaraz at Queen’s, won 93 percent of first-serve points and did not face a break point in a dominant display.

Draper is chasing his second title on grass after winning in Stuttgart last year and will next face Alexei Popyrin after the Australian beat compatriot Aleksandar Vukic.

“Feels amazing, no place I’d rather be,” said Draper. “We travel the world playing tennis, never get to come home or spend much time with my family but to be on this court in front of you guys, my people, my family, thank you.”

MIAMI: Soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity at the Club World Cup are fueling concerns among players, coaches, and fans, with calls for additional cooling breaks and adjustments to match schedules.

Midday kickoff temperatures in Pasadena at the weekend approached 32° Celsius (89.6° Fahrenheit), forcing players in the Paris St. Germain vs. Atletico Madrid match to dig in early as the midday sun blazed on the Rose Bowl’s uncovered stands and pitch.

Atletico’s Marcos Llorente described the conditions as “terribly hot,” saying “my toes were sore, my nails were hurting... it’s incredible.”

Fans, too, voiced concern.

Attendees at the Rose Bowl complained of long queues in harsh heat, limited shaded areas and water restrictions at entry, with some leaving at halftime due to dehydration and fear of fainting.

Similar mid-afternoon kickoff conditions are planned for upcoming matches, stoking safety concerns for supporters and players.

Monday’s match in Pasadena was not an isolated incident. Miami and Los Angeles are experiencing temperatures north of 30° C (86° F), many rising above the 32° C heat-stress threshold, triggering warnings from player unions.

Tuesday’s game between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal is scheduled at 1500 local time with temperatures expected to reach 32°C with humidity set to hover around 70 percent.

The world players’ union FIFPRO has suggested FIFA should revise scheduling, if needed.

“FIFPRO has consistently advocated for comprehensive heat protection measures including mandatory cooling breaks, adjustments to kick-off times to avoid the most intense heat, and the postponement of matches when conditions pose a serious health risk to players,” FIFPRO said.

“With tournaments like the Club World Cup featuring dense match schedules and hot climates in locations such as Orlando and Miami, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important health and safety issue in professional football.

“FIFPRO will closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks with a view to prioritising player welfare over other considerations.”

The current rules permit one mandatory break per half.

England coach Thomas Tuchel, observing the tournament as part of planning for next year’s World Cup in North America, warned the tournament schedule would resemble “suffering,” with players battling harsh midday conditions.

The heat represents one of many controversies plaguing the expanded 32-team format. FIFPRO and the PFA have launched legal action in Brussels, alleging FIFA overstepped by introducing an unsustainable four-week calendar, risking player burnout.

Critics say the added fixtures, combined with sweltering heat, could severely strain player welfare.

FIFA, however, maintains that the extended summer fixtures align with the broader International Match Calendar and that existing protocols are sufficient.