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Carlos Alcaraz was thrilled to meet Rory McIlroy for the first time as the massive golf enthusiast shared his initial thoughts about the legendary Masters champion.

Alcaraz was captured on camera meeting McIlroy on the practice courts several hours before his first rounfd match, where he caught attention with his striking new appearance. McIlroy was at Flushing Meadows for the second consecutive evening after rushing from the Tour Championship and missing Ryder Cup colleague Tommy Fleetwood's maiden PGA Tour victory.

Alcaraz, who received harsh feedback about his haircut from Frances Tiafoe, shifted his attention back to tennis to overcome the challenging Reilly Opelka in straight sets on Arthur Ashe. After his victory, he marked the moment with a golf swing celebration and subsequently provided some details about his encounter with McIlroy earlier that day.

"Well, it was the first time that I met him," Alcaraz revealed. "It was such an honour. I mean, I just admire him a lot. I'm just a huge fan of golf. The last day of the Masters I just won Monte Carlo, and in my celebration I was with the phone cheering on him, supporting him. It was an unbelievable experience for me meeting him and had a chance to talk a little bit with him.

"You know, as a person, he seems a really good guy, really close person. As an athlete, he has shown what he is capable of doing, his swing, his golf. It's just amazing to watch his golf. So I just admire him a lot."

Speaking about his victory over the powerful server Opelka, Alcaraz said: "Well, today was really difficult to get the good rhythm. Opelka is such a tough opponent, big serve. He doesn't let you go on rallies. It was difficult for me to get the good rhythm and the good feeling from the baseline.

"So I just tried to return well, playing as long a point as I can and trying to get the good rhythm and the good feeling. So it was a difficult first round, but overall I just really happy with the way that I managed everything that I played today.

"Good return, good point from the baseline, good serve. So I just wanted to keep it going. Tomorrow I will try to practice a little bit to get more rhythm. The next round is going to be with more rhythm, playing more point from the baseline.

"So let's see if I'm going to get there, but right now I'm just really happy with the way that I'm feeling."