Tennis-Defending champion Alcaraz advances as injured Koepfer retires

Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 29, 2023 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his first round match against Germany's Dominik Koepfer REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the second round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday after his opponent, German Dominik Koepfer, retired with an injury during their primetime match in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 20-year-old top seed from Spain was leading 6-2, 3-2 when Koepfer retired, having rolled his ankle at a grimace-inducing angle minutes into the match. Alcaraz will play Lloyd Harris of South Africa in the second round.