Carlos Alcaraz dropped the first set but came back to defeat Jaime Faria at the US Open. His aggressive play and improved fitness suggest he's a strong contender for the title. Next, he faces Yibing Wu for a place in the last sixteen.
Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open run nearly took an early hit on Wednesday night when he lost the first set to Jaime Faria. But the world number three responded with a sharp turnaround, showing no sign of the right wrist injury that had raised questions about his fitness after the first round. Alcaraz, returning to the tournament after a long break, took control and won the next three sets to move into the third round. Reuters noted that his performance stood out after his time away from the tour.
Faria surprised the Arthur Ashe crowd by taking the opening set 6-4. For a moment, an upset seemed possible. Alcaraz, wearing a sleeve on his right arm, answered with aggressive, precise play. He won eight games in a row—including a 6-0 second set—and closed out the match 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. ESPN pointed out that this streak of eight straight games changed the match’s momentum.
Alcaraz has now won 29 of his last 30 matches at Grand Slam tournaments, underlining his consistency at the highest level.
The stats told the story: 43 winners, a surge in energy, and a crowd that backed him with every point. After a four-month layoff for his wrist, Alcaraz’s physical condition now looks solid. His performance sent a clear message—he’s back in form and still aiming high in New York.
Even as he built his lead, Alcaraz showed some frustration with his play, voicing it to his team. The match was briefly paused for rain, leading officials to close the Arthur Ashe roof so play could continue. Some earlier reports suggested Faria had matched Alexander Zverev for the second-most wins this season, but major sources like Reuters and ESPN do not support this claim.
Next, Alcaraz will play Yibing Wu, ranked 113th, in the third round. Wu made history for China in 2023 by winning the Dallas ATP title and now stands between Alcaraz and a spot in the last sixteen. Tournament previews confirm Wu as his next opponent. Possible future opponents include Alexander Bublik or Tommy Paul, but for now, the focus is on Friday’s match.
The US Open 2026 is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York from August 23 to September 13, marking the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season.
Alcaraz’s strong return changes the men’s draw. His ability to recover from setbacks, both physical and tactical, keeps him in the conversation as a Grand Slam contender. The US Open, with its lively atmosphere and high stakes, has missed his presence. Now, with his fitness and confidence back, Alcaraz is once again a favorite for the title. Wednesday night made it clear: the defending champion is ready, and the rest of the field will have to keep up.
