Carlos Alcaraz through at US Open 2023 as Koepfer retires, Jannik Sinner cruises past Yannick Hanfmann

Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in round two of the US Open after only 60 minutes, following the retirement of Dominik Koepfer.

The Spaniard was leading 6-2 3-2 before Koepfer was forced off with an injury to his left ankle, as he attempted to reach an Alcaraz shot that went past the baseline.

There were early warning signs for the German, who received treatment at deuce in the first game of the first set but he succumbed to the injury in the second set.

However, the world No. 75 could not overcome the pain barrier and Alcaraz moved into the next round.

Speaking after the match, Alcaraz said: “It’s obviously not the best way to get through to the next round.

“It’s very unfortunate for him but I was feeling really good on court. It’s a court I love playing on. I felt the same energy I felt last year.”

The world No. 1 will now continue his title defence against South African Lloyd Harris, and is aiming to become the first player to retain the US Open since Roger Federer managed to win five in a row between 2004 and 2008.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner confidently swept past Yannick Hanfmann with a 6-3 6-1 6-1 win inside the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Sinner never looked back after breaking the German in the second game, and despite Hanfmann rescuing four set points at 2-5, it only delayed the inevitable.

The Italian then comfortably held the next game to love to draw first blood in the contest, and carried on his unrelenting momentum.

He moved into a 4-0 lead in the second set, and after the next two games went to serve, Sinner broke Hanfmann again to move two sets ahead.

Sinner would break Hanfmann twice more in the third to wrap up proceedings in a mere two hours and 18 minutes.

Speaking after the victory, he said: “I thought everything went in the right direction. Me and my team, we work very well, especially in the gym. I feel better physically. I feel stronger as the match goes on and I have more options in my game, we can all see the progress.

“I was playing well; I was returning good. Sometimes the serve could be a little bit better. But the atmosphere is obviously very nice. I know physically I’m healthy, which is most important.”

Sinner will face compatriot Lorenzo Sonego on Thursday, and could be in line to meet Alcaraz in the quarter-finals should everything go to plan.