Alcaraz overpowers Faria to reach US Open third round

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who returned to the US Open after a four-month absence due to a wrist injury, advanced to the third round on Wednesday after defeating Portugal's Jaime Faria in four sets. Alcaraz, 23, overcame an early setback to triumph 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 40 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 72nd-ranked Faria began strongly, serving well and applying pressure, but Alcaraz's resilience prevailed.

Faria managed to break Alcaraz's serve in the seventh game, leading 4-3, but the Spaniard regained the upper hand in the subsequent game. Alcaraz's momentum continued into the second set, where he broke Faria's serve three times, securing a 2-0 deficit. The momentum carried over into the third set as well, with Faria breaking Alcaraz's serve once more, putting him 2-1 down.

However, Faria's serve started to falter, and Alcaraz capitalized, taking a 2-1 lead in that set. The fourth set saw Alcaraz extend his advantage, breaking Faria's serve twice and serving out to clinch the victory.