Carlos Alcaraz Overcomes Slow Start to Reach US Open Third Round

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from dropping the opening set to beat Portugal’s Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the US Open in New York. The second-seeded Spaniard saved two break points early in the second set before seizing control of the night session match.

The victory advances the seven-time Grand Slam champion into the round of 32, where he will face Chinese world number 113 Wu Yibing. The tournament is Alcaraz’s first competitive appearance since mid-April, following a sustained absence due to an injury to his right playing wrist.

Wrist Injury Recovery and Physical Test

Alcaraz entered the final major tournament of the season having played only one match since his lay-off, a straight-sets victory over Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the opening round. After dropping the first set against the 72nd-ranked Faria, Alcaraz noted the difficulty of the contest, stating, “It was a tough match for me.” He added that he focused on trying to “stay calm and think the good things will happen.”

Addressing concerns regarding his wrist, Alcaraz stated after the match that he is not holding back when hitting his forehand. “I have to hit like I was hitting before the injury,” he remarked, adding that playing four sets provided a valuable test for his physical recovery and body conditioning ahead of subsequent rounds.

State of the Men’s Draw

The men’s singles draw has opened up significantly following early-round developments. World number one Jannik Sinner is absent from the tournament due to injury, while 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round by Argentina’s Mariano Navone.

Navone built on his victory over Djokovic by defeating 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the second round. Meanwhile, Spanish 12th seed Rafael Jodar became the highest-seeded player to exit on day four, losing 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 to world number 124 Bu Yunchaokete of China.

Other Day Four Results

American 20th seed Tommy Paul, a potential fourth-round opponent for Alcaraz, advanced with a 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win over Croatia’s Dino Prizmic. Paul will next face 15th seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, who defeated French veteran Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.

Home favourites Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe also progressed. Eighth seed Shelton defeated Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, while Tiafoe beat Japan’s Rei Sakamoto 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5.

Background

Carlos Alcaraz is a two-time US Open champion playing to defend the title he won in New York. He missed four months of the 2026 season between April and August following an injury to his right wrist, making the US Open his return event on the ATP Tour.