Carlos Alcaraz storms into US Open 3rd round after beating Jamie Faria

Carlos Alcaraz turned a shaky opening against Portugal’s Jaime Faria into a commanding US Open victory, winning 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round.

The defending champion struggled to find his rhythm in his first tournament since a right wrist injury in April. Faria, ranked 72nd in the world, made the sharper start, earning the first break at 3-3 and holding his nerve to take the opening set 6-4.

Alcaraz responded with eight consecutive games. He saved a break point in his first service game of the second set, then broke Faria with a forehand pass before completing a 6-0 set in 33 minutes. His control continued through the third and fourth sets, as cleaner ball-striking and growing confidence carried him to victory after two hours and 40 minutes.

The win kept Alcaraz’s perfect 9-0 record at Grand Slam tournaments in 2026 intact. The 23-year-old is also pursuing a successful US Open title defense, something no men’s player has achieved since Roger Federer won five straight titles from 2004 to 2008.

Alcaraz has won the US Open twice, in 2022 and 2025, and became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam at 22 earlier this year. His victory over Faria was his 26th main-draw win in New York, his highest total at any Grand Slam tournament. He will face Wu Yibing next. Wu defeated Australia’s James Duckworth 7-5, 6-3, 6-1, while Alcaraz leads their head-to-head record 1-0 after their only meeting in Shanghai in 2024.