Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his US Open campaign with a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over 186th-ranked Australian Li Tu. The 21-year-old Spaniard extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 15 matches, as he aims to join Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal as the only men in the modern era to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same year.
Alcaraz started strong, racing to a 4-0 lead to secure the first set. However, Tu, a qualifier, adjusted to the environment of Arthur Ashe Stadium and Alcaraz’s serve to snatch the second set. The Spaniard then regained control in the third set, breaking for a 4-3 lead and winning eight consecutive games to close out the match.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz acknowledged that there is room for improvement: “A few things that I have to improve if I want to keep going in the draw,” he said. Despite a shaky second set where he committed 18 unforced errors, Alcaraz finished with 50 winners and 30 unforced errors overall, showcasing his resilience and adaptability on court.
Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2022, will face Botic van de Zandschulp, a 2021 quarter-finalist, in the second round. As he progresses, he could potentially face Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in a highly anticipated semi-final matchup.
