Carlos Alcaraz now 19-0 in first-round matches at Grand Slams after opening win at US Open

Carlos Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open, made a winning start to his 2025 campaign on Monday night, defeating Reilly Opelka in straight sets in the first round, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.

With that victory over the 6' 11" American, the Spaniard continues to build on an already-incredible stat, improving to 19-0 in his career in first-round matches at Grand Slam tournaments.

He's just the third man in the Open Era to win his first 19 or more first-round matches at the majors, after Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.

ALCARAZ IN FIRST-ROUND MATCHES AT GRAND SLAMS: 19-0

• d. Van de Zandschulp in '21 Australian Open 1st Rd, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
• d. Zapata Miralles in '21 Roland Garros 1st Rd, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6
• d. Uchiyama in '21 Wimbledon 1st Rd, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
• d. Norrie in '21 US Open 1st Rd, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
• d. Tabilo in '22 Australian Open 1st Rd, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
• d. Londero in '22 Roland Garros 1st Rd, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0
• d. Struff in '22 Wimbledon 1st Rd, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
• d. Baez in '22 US Open 1st Rd, 7-5, 7-5, 2-0 ret. (leg)
• d. Cobolli in '23 Roland Garros 1st Rd, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5
• d. Chardy in '23 Wimbledon 1st Rd, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5
• d. Koepfer in '23 US Open 1st Rd, 6-2, 3-2 ret. (ankle)
• d. Gasquet in '24 Australian Open 1st Rd, 7-6, 6-1, 6-2
• d. Wolf in '24 Roland Garros 1st Rd, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1
• d. Lajal in '24 Wimbledon 1st Rd, 7-6, 7-5, 6-2
• d. Tu in '24 US Open 1st Rd, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
• d. Shevchenko in '25 Australian Open 1st Rd, 6-1, 7-5, 6-1
• d. Zeppieri in '25 Roland Garros 1st Rd, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
• d. Fognini in '25 Wimbledon 1st Rd, 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1
• d. Opelka in '25 US Open 1st Rd, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

Sporting a fresh new haircut for a fresh new Grand Slam campaign, the No. 2-seeded Alcaraz came out strong on Ashe on Monday night, breaking the big-serving Opelka in the fifth game of the match and hanging onto that break until he had a one-set lead in his pocket.

There were some tricky moments in the second set, as he dug out of a 15-40 hole to hold for 3-all, but after a few more holds he pounced again, breaking at love for 6-5 before serving out a two-set lead.

The Spaniard grabbed one last break at 4-all in the third set when Opelka double faulted, and he swiftly served the match out at love, closing it out with a big forehand winner—his 23rd winner of the match.

"Today was really difficult to get the good rhythm," Alcaraz said afterwards. "Opelka is such a tough opponent, big serve. He doesn't let you go on rallies. It was difficult for me to get the good rhythm and the good feeling from the baseline. So I just tried to return well, playing as long a point as I can and get the good rhythm and the good feeling.

"It was a difficult first round, but overall I'm just really happy with the way that I managed everything that I played today. Good return, good points from the baseline, good serve. I just wanted to keep it going.

"Tomorrow I will try to practice a little bit to get more rhythm. The next round is going to be with more rhythm. Let's see if I'm going to get there, but right now I'm just really happy with the way that I'm feeling."

Up next for the world No. 2 will be No. 65-ranked Italian Mattia Bellucci, who's into the second round here for the second year in a row.

The two will be playing each other at tour-level for the first time, but they did play once below tour-level, at an ITF event on clay in 2020 when they were both still teenagers, and Alcaraz won, 6-2, 6-1.

The Spaniard fell in the second round of the US Open last year, to Botic van de Zandschulp, so he'll only be adding ranking points with every win from here on out in his quest to catch Jannik Sinner at No. 1.