US Open 2024: Australian qualifier Li Tu gave Carlos Alcaraz a scare in the first round of the U.S. Open before winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
US Open 2024: In the first round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, Australian qualifier Li Tu gave Carlos Alcaraz a fright, but Alcaraz prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
The four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz had a great start before making a lot of mistakes and dropping the second set against Novak Djokovic in the Olympic final in Paris.
With a brilliant forehand to break for a 4-3 lead in the third game, the Spaniard brought order back. He would never look back, clinching the victory with his ninth ace to set up a second-round matchup with Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
Tu, an Adelaide native who took a six-year break from tennis in 2014 to pursue a degree and open a tennis school, defeated the third seed in three qualification sets to win his maiden trip on the Arthur Armstrong Stadium court.
In an interview conducted on the court, Alcaraz said, “Obviously he surprised me a little bit.”
“He was a bit apprehensive before the match began, but after the first set, he matured and began to play excellent tennis. I’m going to start keeping an eye on him and his progress now that I’m very certain I’ll be seeing him about very, very soon,” he said.
The first set was easily won by Alcaraz, and the quiet spectators seemed to accept that it would be an easy win.
But Tu turned the tables in the second set, breaking service with a stunning one-handed backhand down the line to tie the match and placing his palm to his ear as the fans went wild. In the second set, Tu took a 5-4 lead thanks to a passing ball that soared past the charging Alcaraz.
In the third set, which was hot and muggy, Alcaraz’s strength started to wear Tu down. The 21-year-old then won and thanked the supporters for generating a “electric” environment.
“I have performed in front of some of the most electrifying courts and audiences I have ever encountered. It’s a privilege to get onto this court and see the crowd appreciate my tennis once again,” he said.
Alcaraz was left very upset after failing to qualify for the Olympics in Paris and then losing shockingly to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open. However, he did win the French Open in June and overcame Djokovic to win Wimbledon a month later.
The 2022 U.S. Open champion, who is 21 years old, did not seem to be hindered in any way by a right ankle injury he sustained during a practice session on Saturday.
