Carlos Alcaraz escapes injured Tomas Machac at Davis Cup in first match since US Open loss

Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to action from his second-round US Open defeat at Davis Cup, splitting the first two sets with Tomas Machac before the Czech was forced to retire with the score at 6-7 (3), 6-1.

"It's a special feeling for me, playing here in Valencia," Alcaraz said on court after the match. "I missed last year and as I said many, many times, the schedule in tennis is really tight, so there are some tournaments that I love to play but sometimes I can't do it. So, last year was the same for me, missing the Davis Cup.

"But this year, I'm really excited about it and it's a really special feeling for me."

The result put helped Spain clinch a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in their first tie of group play.

A former world No. 1, Alcaraz had been off the court since his shock exit in Flushing Meadows to Botic van de Zandschulp at the end of August. The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner was playing his first match since then at the Pabellon Fuente de San Luis at home in Valencia.

Despite a slow start against Machac, who claimed an impressive victory over Novak Djokovic in Geneva earlier this year, the four-time major champion began to find his footing in the second set, winning a vintage point from which Machac struggled to recover.

"I think he played more matches in the American swing," Alcaraz said. "He played tough matches during New York, and then coming here to different conditions, different everything...it's difficult to get used to it. I think after a really tough and difficult first set, I knew I had to stay positive and play long rallies.

"I pushed him to the limit; obviously I don't want to get through to that way, but I'm really happy to give the point to Spain."

Alcaraz, who had been 1-2 since winning the Olympic silver medal in Paris, wouldn’t lose another game in the second set and looked to expand his lead in the third when Machac pulled the proverbial rip cord.

"I’m not used to playing here in Spain, but every time I do is a great feeling. Great points, great rallies, the people in the crowd were behind me. They were cheering me on always, and I'm really grateful for that."

Backing up Roberto Bautista Agut’s 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka, Spain take an early advantage in Group B’s round robin play, and will next face Team France, who lost a 2-1 tie to Australia on Tuesday.