by Carlos Alcaraz presented a striking new hairstyle before he gave Reilly Opelka the Chop at the US Open on Monday.
The 22-year-old came at the Arthur Ashe stage with a serious military crew that was cut with the American for his night game.
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While Alcaraz ‘new look was a “terrible” friend and teammate Frances Tiafoe called him-he did not distract the optimized Spaniard from the present task when he drove to a 6-4, 7-5, 6: 4 victory of the first round over the 6-foot 11-inch Opelka.
Alcaraz could not hide his joy with his performance against his great opponent.
“It was really difficult today,” said Alcaraz.
“Reilly is a great, hard player. I couldn’t get the rhythm I wanted to get, but I’m just very satisfied with what I did today. I did a great performance today.”
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Asked about his new look, Alcaraz smiled.
“I think I have to ask people if they like it or not,” he said, to cheer from the New York crowd. “I think they like it.”
Alcaraz, who won the first of his five Grand Slam singles titles at the US Open in 2022, took control with a break in the fifth game of the first set and retained this advantage before serving love.
After Alcaraz had saved two Opelka Break points before he had held 3: 3 in the second set, he took his chance in the 11th game and broke against a 6-5 lead before taking a 2-0 sausage for the competition.
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The third set went with serve until the ninth game when Alcaraz again scored a decisive break for a 5: 4 lead.
Alcaraz gave a long forehand return from Opelka three match points, and he changed the first of them with a scoring forehand in order to advance.
Alcaraz will compete against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round.
RCW/PST
