GREGORY LEON
Champions suffer at the US Open. The New York tournament does not allow for any lapses. Sinner, under universal scrutiny since his positive doping test came to light, was run over in the first set against McDonald, but then straightened out and avoided disaster. Tsitsipas could not do it and is out. And Carlos Alcaraz found himself facing a tennis player who dared to challenge him in the second setContrary to all expectations, after an initial chapter without any surprises, faithfully following the script, the Australian Li Tu broke the Murcian’s serve and demanded it. But Alcaraz, with maturity, stopped the rebellion in time. Now, in the second round, he will face Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp. The match, which will start at 03:00 on the night of Thursday to Friday, This will be the third between the two. The previous two, in 2021 and 2022, were for Carlos. It will be available to watch on Movistar+.
The Murcian returned to the courts of Flushing Meadows with some unknowns. His unexpected elimination early in the Cincinnati tournament, with the episode of the broken racket, put some cloud on the generally clean atmosphere surrounding the tennis player from El Palmar. The slight ankle twist he suffered on Saturday added some concern. But His first set was impeccable.
Everything turned around in the second. With problems on serve, with a Li Tu on the other side of the net, responsive and brave, the difficulties grew. And the Australian took the set. Carlitos first looked at his box, incredulous, and then went to the thinking chair, pondering the strange direction the match was taking. The panorama was darkening. It was imperative to make a U-turn. And Alcaraz did. From that moment on, becoming fully aware that no more errors could be tolerated, he raised the level. His drive He started to work. He served and returned with full efficiency. He won the third set and was close to beating Li Tu in the fourth, which confirmed the victory of the player from Murcia, the first in this new appointment of his in New York. The second will be on Thursday, against Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp, who eliminated Dennis Shapovalov. The circuit already offers two precedents, both with Carlos Alcaraz winning.
“I love playing sleeveless”
The tennis player born in El Palmar explained his feelings after his debut at the 2024 US Open. “I enjoy every time I play here in New York, it is one of the most electric courts I have ever played on. For me, it is an honour to step on this court once again and try to put on good tennis for people to enjoy. I am very happy and it is an honour to play here again.
I was a little surprised by Tu, in the first set it was obvious that he started nervous. Afterwards, he grew, started enjoying himself and playing great tennis. I was playing well, I probably made a couple of mistakes that were not right. He is a great player, he surprised me and I will follow him from now on, I am sure that if he plays at this level, we will see him around here very soon.
“I love playing sleeveless, in specific tournaments I like to play with straps. Probably to intimidate the opponent, or I try to. Here in New York it’s very hot and very humid, it helps me to play like this so I don’t sweat as much. I’m glad you like it.”
Carlos Alcaraz, behind McEnroe
The player from Murcia is the second youngest tennis player in history who has needed fewer matches to reach sixty Grand Slam victories.
John McEnroe 69 matches
Carlos Alcaraz 70
Björn Borg 70
Mats Wilander 71
Jimmy Connors 72
