Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a difficult opening set to defeat Portugal’s Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 and reach the third round of the US Open.
Faria punishes an uncertain start
Faria served confidently and capitalised on errors from Alcaraz to claim the first set. The Spaniard, returning from a five-month wrist injury, initially struggled to settle into the night-session conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match changed dramatically in the second set. Alcaraz improved his return position, added pace and variation, and did not concede a game. That 6-0 response shifted the pressure onto Faria and re-established the defending champion’s control.
Variety makes the difference
Alcaraz mixed heavy groundstrokes with movement toward the net and used his speed to extend rallies. He took the third set 6-3 and maintained the advantage through the fourth, closing the match 6-2.
Reuters reported that Alcaraz credited mental resilience and the energy of the New York crowd for helping him reset. The win was important not only for advancement but also as a test of his wrist and match endurance after the long interruption.
Third-round outlook
Alcaraz will face China’s Wu Yibing next. The defending champion remains one of the favourites, although the opening set showed that timing and confidence are still being rebuilt.
Grand Slam campaigns often depend on managing imperfect days. By solving the tactical problem without allowing the early deficit to become a prolonged battle, Alcaraz conserved energy for the rounds ahead.
