Tennis-Alcaraz eases into US Open second round as Venus makes emotional exit

Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Renata Zarazua (MEX) celebrates after defeating Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

NEW YORK (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.