Key events
That’s all for tonight. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check back shortly for our full report off Tuesday night’s action.
Alcaraz wins 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 over Tu!
Fourth set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 Tu
Alcaraz closes the show without hesitation, cracking a pair of forehand winners followed by a 125mph service winner and a 120mph ace. That’s that and the great Carlitos is through to the US Open second round, having extended his win streak at grand slam tournaments to 15 straight matches.
Fourth set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 5-1 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu falls behind love-30, then 15-40, and it’s two match points for Alcaraz. The Spaniard squanders the first with a missed volley, then Tu saves the second with an 80mph second serve that clips the net before caroming backward. From there Tu grinds out the hold, getting on the board in this fourth set and earning a hearty round of applause from the Ashe crowd while he grins from ear to ear. They’re not saying boo, they’re saying Tuuuuu!
Fourth set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 5-0 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz wastes no time backing up the break, going 119mph ace, forehand winner, forehand winner, 119mph ace to hold at love. Tu will serve to stay in the tournament after the changeover. Meanwhile, Kenin is serving for the match at 5-4 in the third against Raducanu.
Alcaraz breaks in fourth game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 4-0 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu double-faults again to go behind love-30 on his serve. That’s 16 of the last 17 points for Alcaraz. The Spaniard then misfires on a couple of shots for 30-all, then just misses on a cross-court backhand. That’s when Tu makes three straight unforced errors, all off the backhand side, to gift Alcaraz another break. He grimaces as if the cramps are about to start, if they haven’t already.
Fourth set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 3-0 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz consolodates the break in a hurry, capping it with an emphatic ace down the pipe. He’s won 14 of the last 15 points.
Over on Grandstand, Sofia Kenin has taken the front foot with the early break in the deciding set against Emma Radudanu. She’s serving at 4-3, two games from the second round.
Alcaraz breaks in second game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 2-0 Tu* (*denotes next server)
And Alcaraz breaks at love with the exhausted Tu’s serve in total rebellion. This could be over in short order.
Fourth set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 Tu* (*denotes next server)
After Tu took a lengthy bathroom break between sets to recharge, Alcaraz breezes through a love hold. We’re not loving what we see from the Aussie right now, fitness-wise.
Alcaraz wins third set, 6-4!
Alcaraz breaks in ninth game of third set!
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 Tu
The physical toll is starting to tell on Tu’s side of the court. He goes down love-15 then 15-40 in a hail of errors, giving Alcaraz a pair of set points. Tu saves the first with a booming 117mph serve, bouncing around the baseline afterward in an effort to reanimate his rubbery legs. He then saves the second with a 91mph second serve way out wide that Alcaraz can’t return into the court. Deuce. Then the fourth unforced error of this game by Tu sets up a third set point for Alcaraz … and this time he strikes. The No 2 seed is one set from the finish line and looks like he could play another three hours. Tu, not so much.
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 5-3 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz backs up the break in the blink of an eye and now Tu will serve to stay in the third set.
Alcaraz breaks in seventh game of third set!
Third set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 4-3 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu opens with a 116mph ace before winning a remarkable 19-shot rally with a forehand winner that brings the crowd to its feet. But the glory is short-lived. Alcaraz responds with a pair of quick winners for 30-all, before a visibly gassed Tu, breathing quite hard, makes a clear fatigue error for 30-40. Another break-point chance for Alcaraz … and this time he converts, ripping a sharply angled forehand from the baseline that Tu can’t handle!
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 3-3 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Another elementary hold for Alcaraz, including a pair of blistering service winners capped by a forehand winners from the baseline.
Third set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 2-3 Tu (*denotes next server)
Gut-check moment for Tu, who goes behind love-30 before a backhand unforced error from the baseline for 30-40. A break-point chance for Alcaraz, but he fritters it away with a misfired backhand for deuce. A few uncomfortable moments later, Tu escapes with the hold.
A note from reader Laura asks: “Have we finally given up on [Emma] Raducanu?” considering we’ve yet to mention her ongoing first-round match on Grandstand in this space. I do now see the 2021 US Open women’s champion has just forced a third and deciding set in her tangle with Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open winner. Since your faithful narrator is tippy-tapping away from the press seats on Ashe, a fuller analysis must wait for now … but we’ll keep you posted.
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 2-2 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Easy hold for Alcaraz, who has won eight of the last 10 points on his racket. Surely he looks like the fitter man on court at the moment.
Third set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 1-2 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu clears another hurdle, rattling off four quick points to hold from an uncomfortable love-30 hole.
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 1-1 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz flies to a straightforward hold of serve, capping it with a 125mph ace down the middle. After that nightmarish service game to end the second (including three double faults), it’s much welcome.
Third set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6, 0-1 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu opens the third set with a hard-fought hold in a 14-point service game, saving a break point at 30-40 along the way. He’s raised his level remarkably over the past half hour as Alcaraz’s has dropped.
Tu wins second set, 6-4!
Tu breaks in 10th game of second set!
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-6 Tu
Alcaraz double-faults for only the second time to open this critical service game. Then another scorching Tu backhand makes it love-30 on Alcaraz’s serve. The Spaniard two points from letting this second set slip away! Alcaraz pulls one back but follows it with a netted forehand for 15-40. Two set points for Tu! Alcaraz saves the first with a 104mph second serve down the center that Tu can’t get back into the court. Another set point for the underdog … and Alcaraz erases with a vicious inside-out forehand followed by a volley winner at the net. Deuce. Alcaraz then wins an extraordinary point, capping a brilliant 13-shot exchange with a forehand passing winner and pumping his fist to the roaring masses. What fight! But we’re back to deuce after Alcaraz sends a backhand into the net.
Now another double fault by Alcaraz that comes in almost a foot below the tape gives Tu a third crack at a set point. Alcaraz saves this one also when Tu misses the baseline with a forehand by millimeters, a look of disbelief flashing across his face. Deuce once more. And Alcaraz double-faults again! That sets up a fourth set point for Tu … and the indefatigable Alcaraz erases it! Now the Spaniard, clearly pressing in the business end of this marathon game, sprays a backhand wide of the tramlines for a fifth set point. And this time Tu capitalizes, pounding a pinpoint backhand winner into the corner past the outstretched racket of Alcaraz to improbably nail down the second set!
Second set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-5 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu holds from love-15 down, capping it with a forehand passing winner punctuated by a fist pump, and now Alcaraz will serve to stay in the second set after the change of ends.
Tu breaks in eighth game of second set!
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-4 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Well, this just got interesting. Just when it looked like Alcaraz was poised to run away with the second set and for all intents and purposes the match, the 2022 US Open champion goes behind love-15, then 15-40 after Tu passes him with a stunning backhand winner. That’s two break-point chances for Tu. And he only needs the one! Another scattershot forehand by Alcaraz gifts Tu the break, the Adelaide man’s first of the evening, and we’re back on level terms in the second stanza at four games apiece!
Alcaraz breaks in seventh game of second set!
Second set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 4-3 Tu (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz keeps on applying pressure and ultimately you crack. Tu goes behind love-15 after an Alcaraz winner, then 15-40 and double break point. Tu saves the first one with a nifty 118mph body serve, but a untimely double fault gifts the Spaniard the break and inside track to a two-sets-to-none lead.
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 3-3 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz cruises to the stress-free hold, following a 107mph ace down the middle with his 15th, 16th and 17th winners.
Second set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 2-3 Tu (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Tu’s turn to feel the heat. The Aussie goes behind love-30 after a blistering Alcaraz backhand winner at the net. Tu wins three quick points, including a gorgeous backhand volley winner, for 40-30. But a couple of misfired forehands leave Tu facing his first break point of the set. And he saves it! Another serve-and-volley, putting it away with a forehand into the open court. Deuce. But another unforced error off Tu’s forehand gives Alcaraz a second break-point chance. This one he squanders, spraying a forehand wide. Moments later Alcaraz has a third look at a break and Tu saves this one also before escaping with the hold … but not before trying an underarm first serve on game point that failed miserably. It draws laughs from the crowd and prompts Tu to apologize to Alcaraz during the changeover.
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 2-2 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz goes behind love-30 on his serve thanks to another unforced error followed by a double fault. The Spaniard is getting a wee bit casual: five unforced in the last two games after only three in the first 10. But he wins four quick points in succession to hold and remain on serve.
Second set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 1-2 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu has steadied the ship somewhat. He goes ahead 30-love thanks to a couple of unforced errors by the Alcaraz forehand, then mixes in a serve-and-volley winner that draws oohs from the crowd. Alcaraz scratches one point back but escapes with the hold after another misfired forehand by the Spaniard. Tu has won 12 of the last 14 points on his serve.
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 1-1 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz goes down love-15 on his serve with his third unforced error of the evening but rattles off four quick points to hold. He’s still only lost three points on his serve tonight.
Second set: *Alcaraz 6-2, 0-1 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu opens the second set with a straightforward hold of serve. He crunches his first ace of the night, a 116mph number out wide, and gets all of his first serves in excepting a double fault at 30-love.
Alcaraz wins first set, 6-2!
First set: Alcaraz 6-2 Tu
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.
First set: *Alcaraz 5-2 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu falls behind love-30 on his serve and Alcaraz is two points from the set. Alcaraz then donates an unforced error (only his second of the night) and Tu follows with a forehand volley winner after a nine-shot rally that prompts roars from the crowd. Tu then hits a forehand winner into the open court following a 116mph serve for game point, before threading a 95mph second-serve service winner down the middle for the gutsy hold. Alcaraz to serve for the opening set after the change of ends.
First set: Alcaraz 5-1 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Love hold for Alcaraz. and another drama-free service game for Alcaraz, who’s won 12 of 14 points on his racket so far. Now Tu will serve to stay in the opening set.
First set: *Alcaraz 4-1 Tu (*denotes next server)
Tu is on the board at last but not without a fight! Alcaraz, moving about the court with ease and showing no sign of the twisted ankle he suffered during training on Saturday, makes him work for every point. But he’s able to hold serve after a lob by Alcaraz misses the mark and the Ashe crowd offers up a hearty round of applause that brings a smile to Tu’s face.
First set: Alcaraz 4-0 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz consolidates again, pounding a 110mph service winner, a 124mph ace out wide and capping it with a forehand winner from inside the baseline. Already seven winners for the Spaniard with just the one unforced error.
Alcaraz breaks in third game of first set!
First set: *Alcaraz 3-0 Tu (*denotes next server)
It’s not getting any easier for Tu on his serve. He quickly goes triple break point down, mixing in his first double fault of the night. He’s fends off a pair of them with a couple of strong serves, but another misfired forehand from the baseline gives Alcaraz a double-break lead after 10 minutes.
First set: Alcaraz 2-0 Tu* (*denotes next server)
Tu gets on the board with style, getting the better of Alcaraz over a 10-shot exchange before passing the Spaniard with a backhand winner. But Alcaraz responds with a 116mph ace down the middle before rattling off three quick points for the stress-free hold.
Alcaraz breaks in first game of first set!
First set: *Alcaraz 1-0 Tu (*denotes next server)
A shaky start for the US Open debutant, who’s quickly broken at love to start the match. Alcaraz hits a sizzling forehand winner early in the point for 40-love before Tu donates the game with a forehand unforced error at the net.
Some backstory for the Adelaide man Li Tu. He made his ITF debut in 2011. He retired in 2014 and was out of the sport for six years, earning his degree and founding a coaching academy during his time away. Since returning in 2021, he’s won nine ITF titles and one more at the Challenger level. He exuded confidence during his pre-match interview in the tunnel, but make no mistake: this one is as David v Goliath as it gets. Alcaraz has won four of the last seven majors staged, winning 42 of 45 matched over that span.
The players are on court and going through their warm-ups. Ashe is about two-thirds empty at the moment but the teeming queues outside by the fountains suggest it will be filling up quickly. We should be under way in a couple of minutes.
Preamble
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.
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.
Before we get started … Dan Evans has just toppled Karen Khachanov in the longest match in US Open history. The 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 after 5hr 35min (!). That eclipses the previous mark held by the famous 1992 semi-final between Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang, which took 5hr 27min to complete.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s a look at what’s happening as the day session gives way to night in Queens.