Alcaraz tames Tu to open US Open campaign

NEW YORK – Carlos Alcaraz roared home for a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over 186th-ranked Australian Li Tu on Tuesday to launch his bid to add the US Open to the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles he claimed this year.

The 21-year-old Spaniard pushed his Grand Slam winning streak to 15 matches as he tries to join Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal as the only men in the modern era to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year.

He got off to a hot start, seizing a 4-0 lead on the way to pocketing the first set.

But Tu, who came through qualifying, got to grips with the imposing Arthur Ashe Stadium and Alcaraz’ serve to take the second set.

He tried to keep the pressure on in the third, but Alcaraz’s break for a 4-3 lead opened the floodgates, the Spaniard winning the eight straight games to take the third set and build a 5-0 lead in the fourth.

World number one Jannik Sinner fought back from a set and break down to defeat 140th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2,  in his first match since being embroiled in a doping test controversy.

Naomi Osaka, who missed last year’s tournament after giving birth to her daughter Shai, stunned 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 6-2.

Her tennis was as striking as her outfit. Osaka arrived on court with a brightly-colored, giant bow on the back of her jacket and a frilly skirt over her playing dress.

World number one and 2022 champion Iga Swiatek defeated 104th-ranked Kamilla Rakhimova, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), after having to save three set points in the second set.