Carlitos in the 2nd round of the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz didn't have to force his talent last night in his first match in the competition. After an easy 6-2 win over Germany's Dominik Koepfer in the 1st set, the match was halted when his opponent suffered an ankle injury. Carlitos led 3-2 in the 2nd set. In spite of everything, Charlie, as he likes to be called, was delighted to be back on the Arthur Ashe court, which had worked so well for him last year. He hopes that last year's energy and enthusiasm will continue this year as he defends his title. Even if he already knows that, at the end of this tournament, his great rival Djokovic will be back as world number 1, whatever happens next. Carlitos therefore has even more motivation to win the US Open again this year, a feat not achieved since Roger Federer in 2008.