Tennis: Alcaraz advances at US Open as Sabalenka also reaches third round

Carlos Alcaraz took another step toward defending his US Open title, recovering from a difficult opening set to beat Portugal’s Jaime Faria in four sets in New York.

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I felt great.

The Spaniard lost the first set 4-6 but quickly took control, winning the next three 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. It was his second successful test at the Grand Slam since returning from a wrist injury that had kept him out since mid-April.

“I felt great,” Alcaraz said, praising the atmosphere during the late-night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “The crowd was super electric here in the night session. I love playing in such a great atmosphere.” After the match, he celebrated by imitating an archer, continuing his habit of borrowing gestures from other sports.

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The crowd was super electric here in the night session. I love playing in such a great atmosphere.

Alcaraz will meet China’s Yibing Wu in the third round. Wu is ranked 113th in the world, leaving Alcaraz a clear favorite. The Spaniard has won seven Grand Slam tournaments.

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You guys are like a joke. Parties, fun, why do you even say that? Why do you even think about that?

Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka also reached the third round after beating Russia’s Polina Iatschenko 6-1, 6-1. Her mood changed at the following news conference when a reporter asked about the parties and entertainment in New York during the week before the tournament. “You guys are like a joke. Parties, fun, why do you even say that? Why do you even think about that?” she said. Sabalenka, who is seeking a third straight US Open title, has gone six months without winning a tournament.

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Think before you say something.