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Alcaraz flies through the tape with the hold at love and he’s taken the opening set in a brisk 29 minutes. The Spaniard isn’t serving at his customary level, getting only 50% of his first serves in. But he’s won 89% of his second-serve points, denying Tu any opportunity to capitalize.
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Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s match between Carlos Alcaraz and Li Tu. We’re courtside inside the world’s largest tennis stadium as the French Open and Wimbledon champion launches his bid for a second US Open title against a 28-year-old Australian qualifier in search of his first man-draw win at a grand slam and first victory over an opponent ranked in the ATP’s top 50.
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Alcaraz looks to extend a 14-match win streak at major tournaments and is looking to become the third man in the open era to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open in the same year after Rod Laver in 1969 and Rafael Nadal in 2010. He’ll go off as a healthy favorite against Li Tu, he of the shortest name in professional tennis, who first cracked the top 200 in march and reached a career-high ranking of No 186 shortly after winning the M25 Traralgon title on home soil.
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Main Events
2nd set: Alcaraz 6-2, 2-2 Tu* (*indicates next server)
Alcaraz was down at love-30 on serve after another unforced error and a double fault. The Spaniard was starting to get a little comfortable, making just three unforced errors in the first 10 games but five in the last two. But he quickly won four consecutive points to hold and serve.
2nd set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 1-2 Tu (*indicates next server)
Lu got some momentum back, leading at 30-love thanks to an unforced forehand error from Alcaraz, then drew roars with a serve-and-volley winner. Alcaraz got a point back, but held on after another miss from the Spaniard. Lu served for 12 of the final 14 points.
2nd set: Alcaraz 6-2, 1-1 Tu* (*indicates next server)
Alcaraz's third unforced error of the night put him down 15-0 on serve, but he quickly won four points to hold, losing only three points on serve tonight.
Second set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 0-1 Tu (*indicates next server)
Toe began the second set with a straight serve hold. He hit his first ace of the night, a 116 mph shot wide, and converted every first serve except for a double fault at 30-love.
Alcaraz wins the first set 6-2!
1st set: Alcaraz 6-2 to
Alcaraz skipped the tape with a love hold and took the first set in 29 minutes. The Spaniard was unable to serve at his usual level, hitting just 50% of his first serves, but he won 89% of his second-serve points, giving Tu no chance.
1st set: *Alcaraz 5-2 Tu (* indicates next server)
To was serving for the set at love-30, with Alcaraz just two points away from the set. Then Alcaraz committed an unforced error (his second of the night) and after a nine-shot rally To smashed a forehand volley winner that drew roars from the crowd. After serving at 116 mph for game point, To smashed a forehand winner into the open court, then followed that up with a 95 mph second-serve winner down the center to hold on. After the change of ends, Alcaraz was serving for the opening set.
1st set: Alcaraz 5-1 Tu* (* indicates next server)
Love is held by Alcaraz, who has won 12 of the 14 points with his racket so far and has another drama-free service game, this time with Toe serving to stay in the opening set.
1st set: *Alcaraz 4-1 to (*indicates next server)
Tu finally got a point, but it was tough going. Alcaraz moved easily around the court, showing no signs of the ankle he sprained during training on Saturday, and Tu struggled to win the point. But after Alcaraz missed a lob, Tu was able to hold serve, bringing a hearty ovation from the Ashe crowd and a smile to Tu's face.
1st set: Alcaraz 4-0 Tu* (* indicates next server)
Alcaraz was on a roll again, hitting a 110 mph service winner, a 124 mph ace wide and finishing with a forehand winner from inside the baseline. The Spaniard had seven winners with just one unforced error.
Alcaraz breaks in the third game of the first set!
1st set: *Alcaraz 3-0 Tu (* indicates next server)
To's serve wasn't getting any easier. He quickly had a triple break point and committed his first double fault of the night. He fended off both double faults with two strong serves, but another forehand miss from the baseline gave Alcaraz a double-break lead after 10 minutes.
1st set: Alcaraz 2-0 Tu* (* indicates next server)
Tu outworked Alcaraz in a 10-shot battle, finishing off a nice score with a backhand winner past the Spaniard, but Alcaraz responded with a 116-mph ace down the center and then won three straight points for a stress-free hold.
Alcaraz breaks in the first game of the first set!
1st set: *Alcaraz 1-0 Tu (* indicates next server)
It was a shaky start for the U.S. Open debutant, who was broken early in the match at love, and Alcaraz hit a powerful forehand winner early in the point to get to 40-love before an unforced forehand error by Toe at the net cost him the game.
Biography of Adelaide native Li Tu. He made his ITF debut in 2011. He retired in 2014 and took a six-year break from the sport, during which he completed his degree and set up a coaching academy. Since his return in 2021, he has won nine ITF titles and one more at Challenger level. He sounded confident in his pre-match interview in the tunnel, but make no mistake, this will be a David vs. Goliath showdown. Alcaraz has won four of his last seven majors and has won 42 of his 45 matches played during that period.
The players are on the court warming up. Ash is about two-thirds empty right now, but judging by the busy line outside the fountain, it will likely fill up quickly. We plan to leave within the next few minutes.
preamble
Good afternoon, tonight's match between Carlos Alcaraz and Lee To will be taking place at Arthur Ashe Stadium. We are courtside in the world's greatest tennis stadium as the French Open and Wimbledon champion begins his quest for his second US Open title against the 28-year-old Australian qualifier, his first Grand Slam win over a Mandreau and his first win over an opponent ranked in the ATP Top 50.
Alcaraz is bidding to extend his streak of 14 consecutive major wins and become just the third player in the Open Era to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year, joining Rod Laver in 1969 and Rafael Nadal in 2010. He will be in a strong position going into the match against Li Tzu, the shortest player in professional tennis, who broke into the top 200 for the first time in March and reached a career-high ranking of 186 after winning his hometown title at the M25 Traralgon.
Before you begin … Dan Evans defeats Karen Khachanov in the longest match in U.S. Open historyThe 34-year-old Briton rallied from 0-4 down in the fifth set to win 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-4 in five hours and 35 minutes (!), beating the famous 1992 semi-final between Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang, which took five hours and 27 minutes.
Brian will be here soon. Meanwhile, here's a look at what's happening in Queens as the daytime sessions move into the evening.
