Second seed Carlos Alcaraz began his 2025 US Open campaign with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over big-serving American Reilly Opelka on Monday night in New York. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2022, improved his career record at the tournament to 18-3 while remaining unbeaten in Grand Slam first rounds (19-0). Alcaraz matched Opelka’s power from the baseline and out-served the 2.11-metre American, converting three of 11 break points and dropping just one service game in two hours and five minutes. The win sets up a second-round meeting with Italy’s Mattia Bellucci as the world No. 2 pursues a sixth major title and a possible return to the top ranking. The night doubled as a debut for Alcaraz’s closely cropped haircut, which drew comments from John McEnroe and fellow players and prompted a light-hearted exchange with golfer Rory McIlroy before the match. Asked courtside whether the buzz cut made him faster, Alcaraz laughed, telling the crowd, “I think they like it,” after a cheer endorsed the new look.