Alcaraz eases into US Open second round

NEW YORK, Aug 26 (Reuters): Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the second round of the U.S. Open with a straight-sets mauling of big-serving American Reilly Opelka on Monday,
while veteran Venus Williams made an emotional exit at the hands of 11th seed Karolina Muchova.
Alcaraz, sporting a
new buzz cut that has sparked plenty of chatter on social media, dismantled Opelka 6-4 7-5 6-4 under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a second-round encounter with Italian Mattia Bellucci.
Williams, back
at Flushing Meadows at the age of 45 after a year's hiatus, fought bravely against Muchova, forcing a deciding set before bowing out 6-3 2-6 6-1.