Author: Chandra Moulee Das
US Open number one seed Carlos Alcaraz had an unexpectedly early night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday. His opponent, Dominik Koepfer, withdrew from the match while Alcaraz was leading 6-2, 3-2 after 60 minutes of play.
The German player, ranked 75th in the world, suffered an unusual ankle injury just six points into the match. This occurred when he twisted his left ankle while moving backwards, just as a blow from Alcaraz crossed the baseline.
The dropshot is working for Carlos tonight on Ashe 🌠 pic.twitter.com/57S2GEtywM
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2023
Koepfer received treatment when the score was tied (deuce) in the first game and fought until the middle of the second set. However, the growing pain and the risk of aggravating the injury forced him to give up.
Alcaraz said in the post-match interaction: “Obviously, it’s not the best way to get through to the next round. It’s a shame for him, but I was feeling really good on the court. It’s a court I love playing on. I felt the same energy as last year.“
Carlos Alcaraz is into Round 2 after Dominik Koepfer withdraws following an ankle injury in the first set. pic.twitter.com/pijmD4EMNr
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2023
The Spaniard, who will face South African Lloyd Harris in the next round, is aiming to achieve a rare feat: becoming the first player to successfully defend the US Open men’s title since Roger Federer’s five consecutive victories from 2004 to 2008. Because he is the defending champion, Alcaraz will lose 2,000 points and will lose his position as world number one in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on September 12 to Novak Djokovic.
This change in ranking will occur regardless of his performance in the tournament, as Djokovic has no points to defend due to his absence from last year’s event.
Alcaraz will face Italian Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals. This possible clash would be a rematch of their memorable five-hour encounter at Flushing Meadows last year, during which the Italian had a match point opportunity.
Meanwhile, Brazilian qualifier Felipe Meligeni Alves was victorious against Australian James Duckworth 6-4, 7-6 (11), 6-3 to advance to the second round of the US Open. The match lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is Felipe’s first win in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament. The 168th-ranked player’s next opponent will be Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, who beat Born Coric (7-5, 7-5, 6-1).
“I knew it would be difficult, there are no ordinary players here, he’s a fast court specialist, very aggressive. That was the best match I’ve ever played in my entire career… I felt like I was playing in Brazil, the boys welcomed me from the start of the game, cheering me on.“