Alcaraz secures second round berth at US Open with Koepfer's withdrawal
ATPWednesday, 30 August 2023 at 04:09
Carlos
Alcaraz advanced to the second round of the US Open after Dominik Koepfer
retired with a score of 6-2, 3-2.
The Spanish
tennis player began his journey at the 2023 US Open with the aim of defending
the title he won last year. Alcaraz entered the first round knowing that he had
already lost the world No. 1 ranking after Djokovic's victory, but with the
mission of pursuing another Grand Slam.
Facing him
was the German Dominik Koepfer, with whom he had no previous matches. The world
No. 75 had strong weeks in the US Open Series with a record of 7-3 in
northamerican hardcourts, including reaching the semifinals of the Los Cabos
Open.
The match
lasted less than an hour due to Koepfer's unfortunate retirement. In the first
set, Alcaraz needed only 35 minutes to secure two breaks and save a couple of
break points against him, taking a 6-2 lead.
In the
second set, they played a lengthy 14-point game on Koepfer's serve, where he
managed to come out unscathed. Alcaraz secured the first break in the third
game with a score of 0. His opponent immediately defended his service, but
couldn't continue due to physical discomfort and retired from the match.
Alcaraz
performed excellently on his serve, with a 73% accuracy rate, winning 83% with
his first serve and 67% with his second serve.
He was also
aggressive in achieving 19 winners and only 6 unforced errors, a stark contrast
to Koepfer's 11 winners and 17 unforced errors.
With this result, Alcaraz reached a record of 11-0 in first-round matches of a Grand Slam, with the US Open being where he has achieved the best results, boasting a 92% success rate so far and the 2022 title.
In the
second round, Alcaraz will face South African Lloyd Harris, who defeated
Argentine Guido Pella in the first round with a score of 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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