{
  "id": 4988802,
  "title": "Alcaraz aims to step it up in round two of US Open title defence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/alcaraz-aims-to-step-it-up-in-round-two-of-us-open-title-defence",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T01:37:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/09/1523967/alcaraz-aims-step-it-round-two-us-open-title-defence"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Carlos Alcaraz, the current US Open champion, faces his second-round opponent Jaime Faria, a Portuguese player, at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday. Alcaraz, who recently returned from a wrist injury in April, dispelled doubts about his comeback with a dominant 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Roman Safiullin. Despite struggling with his serve, Alcaraz expressed his intent to serve better in subsequent matches. Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on 22-year-old qualifier Polina Iatcenko in a high-stakes match. Sabalenka, who recently won back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami, will need to maintain her consistency to become the third woman to win three straight US Open titles. In another notable match, former US Open champion Ben Shelton will face American rising star Ben Shelton, while Jessica Pegula and Ben Shelton will also compete, aiming to make their mark in the tournament.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK: With his first match in more than four months behind him, defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will look to step up his game against Portugal’s Jaime Faria on Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Buenos Aires Herald",
        "title": "US Open 2026: Trungelliti and Podoroska into the second round",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/us-open-2026-trungelliti-and-podoroska-into-the-second-round",
        "published": "2026-09-01T16:52:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Andreeva dismantles Tjen, eases into US Open second round",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/andreeva-dismantles-tjen-eases-into-us-open-second-round",
        "published": "2026-09-01T21:41:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Rybakina cruises into US Open second round despite heel concerns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/rybakina-cruises-into-us-open-second-round-despite-heel-concerns",
        "published": "2026-09-02T01:11:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "‘Rooting for the Aussie boys’: Mates ride US Open wave into second round",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/rooting-for-the-aussie-boys-mates-ride-us-open-wave-into-second-round",
        "published": "2026-09-02T01:19:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "‘Rooting for the Aussie boys’: Mates ride US Open wave into second round",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/rooting-for-the-aussie-boys-mates-ride-us-open-wave-into-second-round-4984152",
        "published": "2026-09-02T01:19:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Andreeva dismantles Tjen, eases into US Open 2nd round",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/andreeva-dismantles-tjen-eases-into-us-open-2nd-round",
        "published": "2026-09-02T01:28:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Confident Gauff reaches US Open 2nd round with straight-set win",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/confident-gauff-reaches-us-open-2nd-round-with-straight-set-win",
        "published": "2026-09-02T01:34:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Gauff launches bid for second US Open title with win over Sonmez",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/gauff-launches-bid-for-second-us-open-title-with-win-over-sonmez",
        "published": "2026-09-02T02:48:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}