{
  "id": 4975169,
  "title": "Alcaraz aims to step it up in round two of US Open title defence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/alcaraz-aims-to-step-it-up-in-round-two-of-us-open-title-defence-4975169",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T23:33:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/02/alcaraz-aims-to-step-it-up-in-round-two-of-us-open-title-defence"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Carlos Alcaraz of Spain aims to elevate his performance in the second round of the US Open title defence, following his opening match win. The Spanish player, who had been sidelined by a wrist injury since April, successfully dispatched Roman Safiullin of Russia 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Alcaraz reported feeling \"really, really nervous\" before his first match since the injury, but dismissed concerns about his serve, stating it would improve. He will face Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round. Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus faces a challenge from 22-year-old Polina Iatcenko in her second-round match. The Belarusian star, who won back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami, will need consistency to chase her third straight US Open title.",
  "summary": "Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will look to step up his game against Portugal's Jaime Faria.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}