U.S. Open 2025: Buzz cut, bright start as Carlos Alcaraz charges into second round

Carlos Alcaraz sported a brand new buzz lower on the U.S. Open on Monday (August 25, 2025) and whereas the cropped type drew a combined response on-line the Spaniard’s spectacular tennis left no room for dialogue as he dismantled Reilly Opelka 6-4 7-5 6-4 to achieve the second spherical.

Having ditched his tousled pre-tournament look, the second seed made a formidable begin in his quest to safe a second Grand Slam title of the yr.

“I’ve acquired to ask the folks in the event that they like the brand new haircut or not. Did you prefer it guys? I feel they prefer it,” Alcaraz stated on court docket in response to a query if he was shifting quicker on court docket together with his new look.

“As we speak was a very tough one,” he added.

“He actually is a superb and a very powerful participant with that serve. I could not get the rhythm I wished to get within the match however I am actually pleased with the whole lot.

“The return was top-of-the-line issues at this time. I attempted to play my greatest tennis, tried to be centered on the serve. Total I had a very nice efficiency at this time.”

The 22-year-old, who gained the primary of his 5 main trophies at New York three years in the past, seemed each bit championship materials in opposition to the unseeded American Opelka as he broke for a 3-2 lead and clinched the opening set with ease.

Alcaraz wobbled on serve for the primary time within the second set when he despatched down consecutive double faults however Opelka didn’t convert each his breakpoint alternatives.

After breaking Opelka within the eleventh sport, Alcaraz held to like for a 2-0 lead and turned up the warmth within the ninth sport of the third set, breaking once more because of a foot fault and a wayward serve by his opponent.

“Nothing relies on you. It all the time relies on him,” Alcaraz stated in regards to the problem of enjoying the towering Opelka.

“The way in which he serves, the best way he performs from the baseline, you simply should be centered, put as many returns as you’ll be able to in and attempt to be within the rally and win the factors he allows you to win.

“It is simply tough whenever you play somebody who does not allow you to play your sport. It was a really tough first spherical.”

Alcaraz held to like to finish the victory and arrange a second-round encounter with Italian Mattia Bellucci, who went by means of after Chinese language opponent Shang Juncheng retired throughout their encounter earlier within the day.