Alcaraz through to the second round in New York as Koepfer retires

Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the second round of the tournament on Tuesday after his opponent, German Dominik Koepfer, retired with an injury.

The Spaniard was leading 6-2, 3-2 when Koepfer retired, having rolled his ankle in the first game. Alcaraz will play Lloyd Harris of South Africa in the second round.

Carlos Alcaraz is into Round 2 after Dominik Koepfer retires following an ankle injury in the first set. pic.twitter.com/pijmD4EMNr

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2023

Koepfer stopped short along the baseline in the first game, twisting his left ankle and was looking unlikely that he will pup up a fight against the world No.1.

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He took a medical timeout to have his ankle taped and returned to the court with the score at deuce but was clearly not at full strength and Alcaraz easily converted a break point with a well-placed drop shot.

Get well soon @DominikKoepfer! 🥲🤜🏻🤛🏻 No one likes to win like this, but felt great tonight returning to a court that is so special to me! 🗽😍💥

📸 Getty & @usopen pic.twitter.com/ctzNftC9g0

— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) August 30, 2023

Koepfer buried his head in his towel after Alcaraz forced him into a forehand error to convert on a break point chance in the seventh game and after losing the first set and 3-2 down in the second, the German decided to throw in the towel.