Alcaraz cruised to second round with a comfortable win over Opelka
Spaniard was sporting a new haircut at Flushing Meadows
US Open 2025 is underway in New York
US Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz Cruises Into Second Round After Beating Reilly Opelka In Straight Sets
With McIlroy having been in attendance at Flushing Meadows over the course of the first round, Alcaraz mimicked a golf swing in celebration after sealing a 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory
Summary
Carlos Alcaraz sharply overcame Reilly Opelka in his first match of the US Open, with the five-time major winner channelling Rory McIlroy in his celebration.
With McIlroy having been in attendance at Flushing Meadows over the course of the first round, Alcaraz mimicked a golf swing in celebration after sealing a 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory.
Alcaraz, sporting a buzz-cut hair-do, grabbed one break in each set against Opelka's huge serve, holding his own in his service games to ensure no tie-breaks were required.
Asked about his celebration, Alcaraz said: "It was the first time that I met [McIlroy]. It was such an honour.
"On the last day of the Masters I had just won Monte Carlo and I was [watching] on my phone cheering on him. It was an unbelievable experience meeting him and having a chance to talk a little bit with him.
"It's just amazing to watch his golf."
Elsewhere at wins for Flushing Meadows, Coleman Wong became the first male player from Hong Kong to win a grand slam match in the Open Era, as he beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-4).
Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov and 2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud also sealed their progress on Monday.
Data Debrief: Three of a kind
Alcaraz has now won his first 19 opening-round matches at the majors, which is a feat only previously achieved by Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
The 22-year-old, who will face Mattia Bellucci in round two, has won an ATP Tour-leading 55 matches this season, scooping six titles already.
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