His first opponent was tougher than expected, but Carlos Alcaraz has kicked off his US Open campaign in style.
The world No. 3 bested Australian qualifier Li Tu in a hard-fought match that ended 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in favor of the Spaniard. Alcaraz is now set to face Botic van De Zandschulp in the next round, following the Dutch player’s victory over Denis Shapovalov earlier in the tournament.
Alcaraz seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory in the first set, but Tu’s resilience and skill pushed him to a challenging second set. Tu had promised to give Alcaraz a tough fight before the match, and he certainly delivered on that promise.
Although Tu managed to keep pace with Alcaraz for part of the third set, the young Spaniard’s talent and determination ultimately proved too much for his opponent to handle. This was the first time since 2022 Wimbledon that an opponent had managed to win a set against Alcaraz in a Grand Slam match.
Despite facing some challenges, Alcaraz regained his composure and dominated the match, winning nine consecutive games to secure his spot in the next round. With two Grand Slam titles already under his belt this year, Alcaraz is aiming to add another trophy to his collection and reclaim the top spot in New York.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz could potentially face tough competition from the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic in the later stages of the tournament. Each of these players presents a unique challenge for Alcaraz, but he remains focused on his goal of clinching another major title.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Alcaraz and his rivals as they battle for supremacy on the court. With Djokovic, Medvedev, and Sinner all in the mix, the competition promises to be intense and unpredictable.
Stay tuned for more updates from the US Open as the action unfolds on the courts of Flushing Meadows.