Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open run nearly took an early hit on Wednesday night when he lost the first set to Jaime Faria. The world number three quickly turned things around, showing no sign of the right wrist injury that had raised questions about his fitness after the first round. Back in the tournament after a long break, Alcaraz took control and won the next three sets to reach the third round. Reuters noted how his performance stood out after 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. Wearing a sleeve on his right arm, Alcaraz responded with aggressive, precise play. He won eight games in a row, including a 6-0 second set, then closed out the match 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. ESPN noted that the streak shifted the match’s momentum.
The stats told the story: 43 winners, with a crowd behind him on every point as his energy surged. ESPN reported that Alcaraz has now won 29 of his last 30 matches at Grand Slam tournaments, a record of consistency at the highest level. After a four-month layoff because of his wrist, his physical condition now looks solid. The performance showed he is back in form and still aiming high in New York.
Even as he built his lead, Alcaraz showed frustration with his play and voiced it to his team. Rain briefly paused the match, and officials closed the Arthur Ashe roof so play could continue. Earlier reports suggested Faria had matched Alexander Zverev for the second-most wins this season, a claim Reuters and ESPN did not carry.
Alcaraz will next 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 place in the last sixteen. Tournament previews list Wu as his next opponent. Possible future opponents include Alexander Bublik or Tommy Paul, but for now, Friday’s match is the focus.
The 2026 US Open is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York from August 23 to September 13. Tournament organizers say it is the season’s fourth and final Grand Slam.
Alcaraz’s strong return reshapes the men’s draw. His ability to recover from physical and tactical setbacks keeps him in the conversation as a Grand Slam contender. With his fitness and confidence back, Alcaraz is again a favorite for the title. The defending champion is ready, and the rest of the field will have to keep up.
