(New York-Flushing Meadows) - Former US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz got “surprised” by Australian qualifier Li Tu in his opening round at the major, dropping a set on his way to notch a four-set win, setting up a meeting against Dutch Botic van de Zandschulp at Flushing Meadows.
Australian qualifier Li Tu shone brightly under the lights of the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open throughout an entertaining match against Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, who eventually found his rhythm back to launch his campaign at the major with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory after two hours and 42 minutes on Tuesday night.
On Thursday, he will play world No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp, who ousted Canadian Denis Shapovalov in his first round, securing a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win charging at the net with precision to win 82 percent of his net approaches while excelling behind his powerful serve.
Alcaraz leads the former US Open quarterfinalist 2-0 in their series, both victories accomplished on the hard court surface.
Alcaraz First Round Action
The four-time Grand Slam winner raced to open proceedings at the major, breaking twice en route to earn the first set 6-2, hitting just two unforced errors to his adversary 8.
Nonetheless, the second set would see Tu rise to the occasion, maximizing his chances while displaying his A-game against an erratic version of the former world number one, who fired 18 unforced errors across the set.
The 21-year-old from Murcia regrouped into the third set, finding his foot again to fend off a scare, taking by storm the fourth set and wrapping up his 60th Slam career triumph, continuing to chase his second title in New York.
During the post-match press conference, Alcaraz commented: “I’m really happy to get through and get a chance to be better in the next round. I felt well on the court. I think I hit the ball well. I moved well.
“[There are] a few things that I have to improve if I want to keep going in the draw, but obviously, I have to give credit to him [Li Tu] as well; he played really good tennis, and today surprised me a little bit in the second set.”
Tu, 28, came from qualifying to compete in his first US Open main draw, the second of his career since entering the Australian Open in 2021 with a wild card.
He finished with 50 winners to 30 unforced errors, converting seven of 19 breakpoint opportunities and winning 80 percent of points on his first serve.
The Lead-Up to the US Open
Alcaraz landed on US soil from France, where he achieved a silver medal at the Paris Olympics on debut, falling in the final to 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, who prevailed to claim a lifetime feat, becoming a maiden Olympic gold medalist at age 37, delivering a masterclass in the process.
The Spanish player went on to play in Cincinnati, a Masters 1000 tournament contested on the hard courts, in the build-up to the US Open, shocked in his opening round by the in-form Frenchman Gael Monfils, frustrating last year’s runner-up, who smashed his racket on the floor.
Carlitos feels good at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, embracing all the energy he receives from the crowd with a smile.
“The crowd gives you an energy you probably don’t feel in other courts. I love playing here,” Alcaraz stressed at the press conference.
Adding: “As I said on court, it’s a huge honor. It’s a privilege that I can still play on Arthur Ashe. Every time I play matches on Ashe, I try to enjoy as much as I can because it’s a unique feeling playing on this amazing court. For me, it’s great.”
