India, Aug. 26 -- Returning to New York after his shock second-round exit at the last edition of the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz kept things business as usual, as he comfortably beat Reilly Opelka at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday to reach the second round. But more than the straight-set win, his striking new buzzcut and the golf-swing celebration triggered a roar from the crowd.

Sporting a bordeaux-coloured Rafael Nadal-esque sleeveless top, the second seed humbled the big-serving American 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to begin his US Open 2025 campaign on a winning note, to lift his sixth career major and second at the Flushing Meadows at the end of the fortnight in New York.

Alcaraz celebrated the win with a fresh new celebration, as he took a golf s...