Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the second round in the US Open after defeating qualifier Li Tu from Australia in four sets, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–1.
The world number three, who won the title in New York in 2022, got off to a flying start and easily took the first set after taking a 4–0 lead. In the second set, however, he hit a snag when the 186th-ranked Tu leveled the score at 1–1.
But after managing to break his opponent in the third set, the Spaniard opened the floodgates and regained control with brutally effective play, losing only one more game for the rest of the match.
In the second round, he will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated Denis Shapovalov from Canada in straight sets, 6–4, 7–5, 6–4.
