U.S. Open Day Two Recap: Alcaraz Handles Opening Round Opelka Test

Sporting a new haircut, Carlos Alcaraz moved past Reilly Opelka in the opening round of the U.S. Open on Monday night, beating the American 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 as he began his pursuit of a second title in Queens. 

“Today was a really difficult one against a really great player. With his serve, I couldn’t get that rhythm I wanted to get in the match, but just really happy with everything I’ve done today,” said Alcaraz. “I think the return was one of the best things I did today, and then I just tried to play my best tennis, be focused on the serve. I think overall, I did a great performance today.”

Facing off against the 6’11 Opelka, Alacaraz knew his way forward was to take care of his own serve, and give himself as many opportunities to break his opponent’s massive serve. Alcaraz secured one break in each set, while saving all three of the break points he faced on his own serve to advance in straight sets. 

“You feel like nothing depends on you, it always depends on him and the way he serves, the way he plays from the baseline,” Alcaraz said of facing Opelka. “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.”

Alcaraz played solid tennis, hitting 23 winners to 13 unforced errors, to move into the second round. He will take on Italian Mattia Bellucci, who defeated Juncheng Shang 7-6(0), 1-6, 6-3, 3-0 (ret.).

American Frances Tiafoe compiled a solid first-round performance as he knocked off Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“[I’m] happy with it. [The] second set was huge,” Tiafoe said of his win. “Just happy. I’m feeling better. Last match I had to retire, and I don’t normally retire, so it was a little weird playing a match after that. [I’m] happy I turned up and I moved great and played all right today, happy to get it done in straights.”

Tiafoe draws a fellow American in Martin Damm next, after Damm defeated another American Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday. 

Other notable winners on the men’s side on Monday included fifth-seed Jack Draper, ninth-seed Karen Khachanov, 11th seed Holger Rune, 12th seed Casper Ruud and Joao Fonseca, as well as Americans Tristan Boyer and Jensen Brooksby.