Alcaraz confident, Venus returns as US Open welcomes rising contender Mboko

The U.S. Open's first round continues on Monday with world number two Carlos Alcaraz facing a difficult test against Reilly Opelka, while former champion Venus Williams returns to Grand Slam action in the women's tournament. Teenaged sensation Victoria Mboko will be making her Flushing Meadows debut.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: REILLY OPELKA V CARLOS ALCARAZ

The rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has become a chief attraction at Grand Slams this year, with Spaniard Alcaraz beating Sinner at the French Open final and world number one Sinner getting revenge at the Wimbledon final.

The prospect of a third major final between the two is one of the main storylines at the U.S. Open, and 2022 champion Alcaraz underlined his Flushing Meadows title credentials by surging to a 5-0 lead in the Cincinnati Open final before Sinner retired due to illness.

Alcaraz will also be cautious to avoid a repeat of his 2024 U.S. Open campaign after he surprisingly exited in the second round.

The world number two's first opponent, Reilly Opelka, will fancy his chances on Monday after the six-foot-11 American, known for his lightning-fast serves, defeated Novak Djokovic on hardcourt earlier this year.

"It's going to be really difficult playing Opelka for the first time. We all know his game style... I have to be ready for that, have to be focused on the return," Alcaraz said on Saturday.

"Trying to get good rhythm in the match... let's see. The confidence is high right now."

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: BARBORA KREJCIKOVA V VICTORIA MBOKO

Canada's Victoria Mboko was ranked no. 333 in the world at the start of the year. But the 18-year-old quickly rose up the rankings ladder as she made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the French Open, played at Wimbledon and