US Open Day 2 highlights: Alcaraz’s hair, Williams’ courage, Kvitova’s farewell and more

The second day of the 2025 US Open began with Mexican Renata Zarazua heroically defeating No 6 seed Madison Keys in the first round. By doing so, she became the first woman from her country to beat a top 10 player at Flushing Meadows.

Keys, who began the year on a high by winning the Australian Open, faced contrasting fortunes in the concluding Grand Slam of the year. In a tense showdown, Zarazua edged her out 6-7 (10), 7-6 (3), 7-5.

Apart from the American, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina [12] was another seed to go out of contention as she lost 6-2, 6-4 to Hungarian Anna Bondar. On the men’s side, Frenchman Ugo Humbert [22] fell against Aussie Adam Walton (6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-1).

Alcaraz advances, Williams fights but falls, Kvitova bids goodbye

Carlos Alcaraz, the men’s No 2 seed, gave the New York crowd plenty to smile about on Day 2, though more through his haircut. He brushed aside towering Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, with his freshly buzzed head gleaming under the Arthur Ashe lights.

Another player taking the spotlight was 45-year-old Venus Williams, who played her heart out against world No 13 Karolina Muchova. Playing just her fourth match of the year, Williams fought for two hours, pushing Muchova to three sets (lost 6-3, 2-6, 6-1).

Furthermore, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and former WTA Finals winner Caroline Garcia bid goodbye to tennis. With bittersweet emotions, Kvitova and Garcia embraced the applauding crowd while being felicitated by the USTA.

Kvitova lost 6-1, 6-0 to France’s Diane Parry and Caroline Garcia was beaten 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 by Kamilla Rakhimova.

other notable results from Us open day 2

Frances Tiafoe [17] beat Yoshihito Nishioka: 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-3
Jack Draper [5] beat Federica Agustin Gomez: 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-2
Casper Ruud [12] beat Sebastian Ofner: 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (5)
Holger Rune [11] beat Botic van de Zandschulp: 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2)

Barbora Krejcikova beat Victoria Mboko [22]: 6-3, 6-2
Mirra Andreeva [5] beat Alycia Parks: 6-0, 6-1
Elena Rybakina [9] beat Julieta Pareja: 6-3, 6-0
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat Dayana Yastremska [30]: 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-4

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