Carlos Alcaraz passed a tricky first-round test at the US Open. The 2022 champion faced Reilly Opelka at Arthur Ashe Stadium and provided a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory in two hours and five minutes.
The Spaniard played well behind the first and second serve, defending all three break points and keeping the pressure on his opponent. Opelka could not follow that pace.
The American dropped 38% of the points in his games and dropped serve once in each set from 11 break chances offered to world no. 2 in their first duel on the Tour.
Carlos out here doing Carlos things!! pic.twitter.com/w9IeFLqfTT
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2025
Carlos hit 23 winners and 17 unforced errors. His rival was positive too, with a 33-32 ratio, although it was not enough at least for a set. The home player denied a break point in the first game of the duel with a forehand winner.
Alcaraz made another push on the return in the fifth game and seized the fifth break chance with a forced error for a 3-2 advantage. Opelka faced more issues two games later.
He saved two break points and remained within one break deficit. The Spaniard served well and wrapped up the first part of the duel with a service winner at 5-4, holding at love and building the advantage after 36 minutes.
Reilly served better in the second set. He passed the opening five service games with ease and generated two break chances in game six. Alcaraz denied them and remained on the positive side.
Carlos Alcaraz & Reilly Opelka, US Open 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 2 fired a backhand down the line winner in the tenth game and locked the result at 5-5. The favorite stepped in on the return in game 11 and broke his rival at love for a decisive moment.
Carlos landed a service winner at 6-5, holding at love and moving two sets to love in front after an hour and 23 minutes. The Spaniard denied a break point in the second game of the third set.
Opelka fought well and led 4-3 before losing ground. The American faced issues on serve in the ninth game and sprayed a costly double fault on the second break point to fall 5-4 behind.
Alcaraz served for the win in game ten and painted a forehand down the line winner on a match point, holding at love and sealing the deal in style.
