By the time Carlos Alcaraz turned 12 years old, Li Tu had already retired once. The Australian was burnt out and, at just 18 in 2014, he was burdened by expectation.
Tu returned to tennis six years later and what became clear on Tuesday night? The 28-year-old was not going to let this first meeting, on his own second coming, go to waste.
The world No 186 made a vow before this first-round match on Arthur Ashe Stadium: whatever happens, he would try to give Alcaraz, the 2022 champion, ‘three, four or five sets of hell’.
So Tu tried everything and he threw everything at the No 3 seed, too. He took a tumble on the opening point and in the second game. He did the splits – twice – and he hit an underarm serve that barely reached the net. He briefly disappeared at one point, too.
Tu’s resistance was finally broken after four sets and nearly three hours. But not before he had put his body through hell and put Alcaraz through the mill. The Spaniard eventually triumphed 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1.
Carlos Alcaraz reached the second round of the US Open with a four-set win over Li Tu
The Australian qualifier captured the hearts of fans on his US Open debut on Tuesday night
Their paths had never crossed until Tuesday night. They normally play on different tours and operate in different worlds. They always were unlikely dance partners – a qualifier making his US Open debut and the sport’s young superstar. But on Tuesday night they combined to bring the crowd to its feet inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
What threatened to be a very brief, brutal beating turned into a brilliant scrap. Everyone loved it – except Alcaraz and his team, that is. Several times, as Tu rose to the occasion and Arthur Ashe turned up the volume, Alcaraz chuntered away to himself and his corner.
He could have done without such a workout – especially after rolling his ankle in practice a few days ago. The only positives? He is into the second round and his body held up, too. But the Spaniard will be concerned with how dramatically his game unraveled at times. He made just two unforced errors in a first set that flew by. He made 18 in the second as Tu levelled the match.
Some of that shift was down to the qualifier, who normally plays on the Challenger circuit and had qualified for the main draw of a Slam for the first time. Tu looked ready to drown early on before gaining a foothold and treating this stadium to some wonderful exchanges.
Alcaraz grew frustrated as Tu gained a foothold and began to enjoy himself in New York
But much of Alcaraz’s wobbles were the result of his own erratic performance. At times, this was a shadow of the Spaniard who has electrified Arthur Ashe in years gone by.
No time to panic yet but if he is to triumph again next week, if he is to become only the seventh man in the Open era to win three Slams in one year, the 21-year-old must find several more gears. This won’t do against Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Co.
Moments before walking on to Arthur Ashe, Tu was asked by his childhood friend Nick Kyrgios if he could spring the upset. Tu wasn’t convinced and quickly illustrated why. The qualifier was broken to love in the opening game and was 3-0 down inside 10 minutes. He had won only three points in that time.
Tu has not won a match at ATP level all year. No wonder a smile came across the Australian’s face, then, when he finally got on the board. He whipped up the crowd and pumped his fist. Before long, we had a match on our hands.
The Spaniard, who triumphed here in 2022, was not at his electrifying best in the first round
Tu’s resistance was finally broken after four sets and nearly three hours on Arthur Ashe
As Tu grew into the occasion, Alcaraz grew more wild. Still, at 4-3 in the second set, the world No 3 was a break up and on course for an early night.
Unfortunately, his opponent had other ideas – Tu broke Alcaraz to level the set and then to level the match. He needed five set points and celebrated by cupping his ear to the crowd.
Tu had never faced a top-50 player in his career until Tuesday night. Who can blame him for enjoying himself? In the end, though, Alcaraz righted the ship and began to pound the Australian into submission. From 2-3 in the third set, he won nine consecutive games.
Tu looked spent but there was still time for one final stand – the Australian saved two match points to avoid a bagel. By then, the crowd were cheering his name. They adore Alcaraz here but even he stood and applauded as Arthur Ashe waved goodbye to another player who captured plenty of hearts.
The two players shared a warm embrace after Alcaraz secured a 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory
