Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round of the US Open after a determined comeback against Portugal’s Jaime Faria, winning 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 in the second-round matchup. The defending champion, seeded second in the tournament, struggled initially but rapidly found his footing following the opening set loss, demonstrating his competitive resilience on the New York court.
Alcaraz continues his return from a wrist injury that sidelined him since mid-April. The 23-year-old showed composure throughout the evening session, particularly after saving two break points early in the second set—a moment he identified as a turning point in the contest. Following his straightforward first-round victory earlier in the week, this performance suggests the Spanish player is regaining the form that earned him seven Grand Slam titles and two previous US Open championships.
The seven-time major champion emphasized his approach to recovery, noting that maintaining focus and confidence proved essential to his turnaround. He acknowledged that losing the first set provided valuable time to assess his physical condition and test his body’s readiness for extended play after months away from competition. Alcaraz also stressed his commitment to playing with full intensity, refusing to temper his forehand stroke despite the recent injury.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz faces China’s Wu Yibing in the third round. With top competitors including Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic absent from the draw, the path forward presents significant opportunities for the defending champion to mount a serious title challenge.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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