US Open, Alcaraz beats Opelka, in the second round with Bellucci

A lot of hat, Alcaraz. Or maybe Capello, given the marine look with which he presented himself to the debut of the US Open. In any case, an excellent presentation for the number two of the world and champion in New York in 2022: defeated in three sets (6-4 7-5 6-4) the American giant Opelka (2.11) to which a great performance was not enough, the best for two years now, that is, before various injuries had removed it from the top (now it is n. 67, but has a best ranking of 17 in 2022). Now for the Spaniard there will be our Bellucci.

The match

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The first set of Alcaraz is monstrous: one of the best clamps on the circuit repays the same coin, obtaining a partial science fiction of 20 points to zero in its service shifts. With these premises Opelka, without chance when he replies, goes under pressure when he touches the break to him and the break arrives in the fifth game, which down the Spaniard downhill until 6-4 that gives him the first set. I unreal numbers, and in fact as soon as the percentage of Carlitos falls, an excellent Opelka can build its opportunities: two break balls in the sixth game of the second set, canceled with two fantastic straight from Murciano. The American does everything well, salt of intensity to response, comes to the net to escape exchanges and shows an excellent touch with the reverse volée. But Alcaraz’s aggressiveness suffers terribly when he is forced to serve the second and the 11th game a couple of opposing responses electrocute him: two sets to zero for the pupil of Ferrero. But the match is far from finite, Opelka continues to be shiny, maintains high (and unexpected) qualities in response and procures first, already in the initial game of the third set, a break ball, canceled by Carlitos with a good before.

Message to Jannik

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Then continue on the wake of the services, up to the ninth game: the American rises 30-0, but in the following point an unreal straight passing through Alcaraz’s race on an reverse volée that did not rise from the ground totally changes the inertia and a thrilled Opelka ends up delivery to the craving for the Spaniard with a double foul on the second break ball of the game. It is the surrender: Carlos holds the subsequent service to zero and imposes itself after two hours and 5 minutes with 86% of points obtained with the first. If he wanted to be a message for the great rival Jannik, he arrived strong and clear.