Spanish tennis star, Carlos Alcaraz began his US Open campaign in commanding fashion on Monday night, defeating American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz, who lifted his first Grand Slam trophy in New York back in 2022, showed once again why he remains one of the toughest players on tour. Against Opelka’s 6ft 11in frame and booming serve, Alcaraz found answers at key moments, breaking late in each of the last two sets to seal a straight-sets victory.
“Today was a really difficult one. Reilly is a great, tough player. I couldn’t get the rhythm that I wanted to get but I’m just really happy with what I did today. I did a great performance today,” Alcaraz said after the win.
The match turned in the first set when Alcaraz broke for 3-2 and held firm to close it out 6-4. In the second, he saved two break points at 3-3 before striking in the 11th game to edge ahead and take a two-set lead.
Opelka stayed with him in the third, but a long forehand in the ninth game handed Alcaraz the decisive break. The Spaniard converted his first match point with a blistering forehand down the line.
Alcaraz, who already has five Grand Slam singles titles at just 22, will now face Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round.
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