Carlos Alcaraz eases into US Open second round as Venus Williams makes emotional exit

Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets mauling of big-serving American Reilly Opelka on Monday, while veteran Venus Williams made an emotional exit at the hands of 11® seed Karolina Muchova.

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Alcaraz, sporting a new buzz cut that has sparked plenty of chatter on social media, dismantled Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a second-round encounter with Italian Mattia Bellucci.

Williams, back at Flushing Meadows at the age of 45 after a year’s hiatus, fought bravely against Muchova, forcing a deciding set before bowing out 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.

“Pm very proud of how I played,” said Williams, who was beaten 6-1, 6-1 on her last US Open appearance in 2023.

“I think for me getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy,” added Williams, who disclosed in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with Sjogren’s, an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain.

“When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel. You get stuck inyour mind too. So it was nice to be freer.”