Carlos Alcaraz insists he can challenge on grass after advancing to the next round at Queen's

<p>Carlos Alcaraz insists he can challenge on grass courts after advancing to the next round with a victory over Arthur Rinderknech at the cinch Championships.</p>

<p>The 20-year-old top seed and world number two was playing only his seventh match on the surface - and his first outside of Wimbledon - at Queen's Club.</p>

<p>Lucky loser Rinderknech only found out he was playing the Spaniard shortly before midday after fellow Frenchman Arthur Fils, Alcaraz's scheduled opponent, withdrew from the tournament.</p>

<p>But the 27-year-old almost knocked the headline act out, taking the first set and giving Alcaraz an uncomfortable afternoon before going down 4-6 7-5 7-6 (3) in just over two-and-a-half hours.</p>

<p>Alcaraz, the US Open champion who was playing his first match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals at Roland Garros, said: "It has been a really tough match, he has played four or five matches on the grass and this was my first one.</p>

<p>"It was really difficult to adapt my game to the grass. For me it's tough to play here, but Queen's is a tournament I really wanted to play.</p>

<p>"I've never played a tournament except Wimbledon on grass and I wanted to play here. I watched this tournament on TV and I always thought it's a really beautiful place to be. The crowd was amazing and the court is unbelievable.</p>

<p>"I couldn't play tennis on grass at home but I practised the movement on grass. I practised here a little bit before the tournament and I felt really good, even though it was the first match.</p>

<p>"I would say I'm going to be better in the next round."</p>

<p>Britain's Liam Broady was denied a notable win after world number 46 Adrian Mannarino came from a set down to win in three.</p>

<p>Broady, ranked 97 places behind the Frenchman at 143, raced away with the first set but was pegged back in a 1-6 6-4 6-3 defeat.</p>

<p>Fellow Brit Ryan Peniston - who beat Ugo Humbert on Monday - will face second seed Holger Rune in round two after the Danish youngster won 7-6 (4) 7-6 (3) against Maxime Cressy for his first career victory on grass.</p>

<p>"It's going to be fun," said Rune, who lost to Peniston at Eastbourne last year.</p>

<p>"It's always a challenge to play a home player. Hopefully the support will be good for both players."</p>

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