Carlos Alcaraz played well in his first match in New York

Carlos Alcaraz passed the first obstacle at the last Major event of the season in New York. The 2022 US Open champion faced Li Tu in the first round on Arthur Ashe Stadium and notched a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory in two hours and 42 minutes.

World no. 3 lost a set, but there was nothing wrong with his game. Carlos fired 50 winners and 30 unforced errors, controlling the scoreboard and outplaying Li in the sets he won. Alcaraz produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve, fending off four of six break points in the second set and keeping the pressure on the other side.

The Spaniard stole almost half of the return points, turning them into seven breaks from 19 opportunities. Tu took charge on Alcaraz’s second serve in the second set, delivering two breaks but failing to follow that pace in sets three and four.

Carlos was off to a flying start, delivering two consecutive breaks in the early stage and moving 4-0 in front. Li sprayed a forehand error in the first game of the match, suffering a break at love.Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

The Spaniard fired a service winner in game two, confirming the advantage and making another push on the return at 2-0.

The Aussie netted a routine forehand in the third game, experiencing another break and sending the favorite further in front. Carlos painted a forehand down the line winner in the fourth game, delivering another comfortable hold and opening a 4-0 advantage.

Tu grabbed his first game in the next one, reducing the deficit and avoiding a bagel. Alcaraz held at love for 5-1 and served for the opener at 5-2. The Spaniard held at love after the Aussie’s drive-volley error, wrapping up the opener 6-2 after 29 minutes.

They served well in the first four games of the second set, with Lu looking better than in the opener. Tu denied three break chances in the fifth game, remaining on the positive side. Carlos closed the sixth game with a forehand winner and made a push on the return in the next one.

World no. 3 welcomed the rival’s double fault, securing a break and moving 4-3 in front.Li Tu, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Li Tu in four sets in the US Open first round.

Suddenly, Tu raised his level and broke back at 15 in game eight after Alcaraz’s wild forehand.

The Aussie held at 15 in game nine, moving in front and keeping the pressure on the Spaniard. Carlos faced five set points, struggling behind the initial shot for the second straight game. World no. 3 defended four with fine hitting before facing the fifth.

Li cracked a backhand down the line attack and drew Carlos’ mistake, wrapping up the set 6-4 and leveling the overall score after an hour and 23 minutes. Alcaraz made a fresh start in the third set, delivering four comfortable holds and pushing strong in four return games.

The Aussie denied a break point in the first game and held after deuces to extend his streak. The Spaniard fired an ace in the second game, ending his downfall and holding at 15 two games later for 2-2. Tu sprayed a forehand error in the fifth game, offering Alcaraz a break point.

Carlos netted a backhand, allowing his rival to survive and move 3-2 in front.Li Tu & Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

The Spaniard cracked a forehand winner in the sixth game, locking the result at 3-3 and attacking the opponent’s serve in the next one.

Alcaraz broke Tu in the seventh game after a forced error, moving in front and landing a crafty winner in the next one for another fine hold and a 5-3 advantage. World no. 3 welcomed a routine backhand error from his rival in the ninth game, generating two set points.

The Aussie denied them with service winners before facing the third when his backhand landed long. Li went to the net, and Carlos passed him, wrapping up the set in style and opening two sets to one advantage after two hours and ten minutes.

Alcaraz was the only player on the court in the fourth set, outplaying Tu on serve and return and almost delivering a bagel. Carlos clinched the opening game at love with a service winner and created three break chances in the next one.

Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz placed a deep return and caused Tu’s mistake, breaking at love and opening a 2-0 lead. The Spaniard fired an ace down the T line in the third game, moving 3-0 ahead and closer to the finish line.

The Aussie squandered a game point in game four and got broken after a backhand error, falling 4-0 behind and seeing the writings on the wall. Carlos held at love for 5-0 and looked good to seal the deal on the return in the next one.

Alcaraz created two match points and squandered them with a loose drive-volley and the rival’s service winner. Li held, avoiding a bagel and reducing the deficit. Carlos served for the victory at 5-1 and generated three match points with a powerful serve. Alcaraz landed an ace down the T line, sealing the deal and moving into the second round.