While early exits have plagued some of the biggest names on the men’s side of the US Open bracket, World No. 3 and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz found a way to move past Portugal’s Jaime Faria in the second round.
But it was not so straightforward.
After a four-month lay-off because of a wrist injury, the rust is very much there for the 23-year-old Spaniard, shaking off a slow start to down World No. 72 Faria four sets, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.
“It was a tough match for me,” Alcaraz admitted. “I felt great in the first set, but I didn’t take time, and that cost me. After that, I tried to be focused, stay calm, and think the good things will happen.”
They did. After dropping the first set, he fought off two break points in the first game of the second set to spark a dominant turnaround. His forehand looked solid, which was the biggest question mark of his game coming back from injury.
It looked fine in his straight-set win over Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round, but Alcaraz had to confirm, following his win over Faria, that he was not holding back on his forehand.
Perhaps he has to remind himself, at times, that he does not have to.
“I know once I step on the court, I’ve just got to go for it every time. I’ve got to feel normal,” Alcaraz said. “I have to hit like I was hitting before the injury. I’m feeling great. There is no reason to be afraid and not hitting normal.”
Regardless, Alcaraz passed his second US Open test with flying colors. There were understandable concerns about how he would come back on short rest two days after disposing of Safiullin.
“At the end, I realized that playing four sets was really good for me to test everything physically, to test my body, how I feel, and how I’m going to feel after this match,” Alcaraz said.
He will face China’s Wu Yibing, ranked No. 123 in the world, in the third round on Friday.
For more on Carlos Alcaraz and the US Open, visit AMNY.com
