Carlos Alcaraz cruises to second round of US Open
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz took a little over two hours to win his opening round match at the Arthur Ashe stadium in New York.
New Delhi: Sporting a shaved head, second seed Carlos Alcaraz launched his US Open campaign in style with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over Reilly Opelka.
The World No.2 took a little over two hours to win his opening round match at the Arthur Ashe stadium in New York.
The Spaniard committed only 17 unforced errors, won 50 of 58 first-serve points, saved all three break points he faced, broke Opelka's serve thrice on way to a 19-0 in opening match record at Grand Slams.
"I got to ask the people if they like the new haircut or not. Did you like it, guys?" he asked the crowd in the stands after his win.
"I think, they like it,” Alcaraz said as the spectators roared their approval.
"Today was a really difficult one against a really great player. With [Reilly’s] serve, I couldn’t get that rhythm I wanted to get in the match, but just really happy with everything I’ve done today," the 22-year-old said.
"I think the return was one of the best things I did today and then I just tried to pay my best tennis, be focused on the serve. I think overall, I did a great performance today.”
Baseline game important
Asked about the challenge of facing big-serving Opelka, Alcaraz said playing well from the baseline was critical to win.
"You feel like nothing depends on you, it always depends on him and the way he serves, the way he plays from the baseline,” he explained.
"You just have to be focused, put as many returns in as you can, try to be in the rally and try to win the points that he lets you play from the baseline. It’s really difficult when you play someone who doesn’t let you play your game.”
In other matches, Casper Ruud advanced with a 6-1, 6-2, 7-6(5) win over Sebastian Ofner while local hope Frances Tiafoe began by beating Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3.
Ninth seed Karen Khachanov saw off wild card Nishesh Basavareddy 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 while 15th seed Andrey Rublev defeated Dino Prizmic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.