Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open campaign opened with a jolt. Facing Jaime Faria, ranked 73rd, Alcaraz lost the first set 4-6 and looked unsettled as he continued to recover from a recent injury. A crowd of 24,000 at Arthur Ashe watched him struggle to find his footing against Faria and his own uncertainty.
Faria, unfazed by the stage or Alcaraz’s reputation, came out swinging. The Portuguese player attacked from the start, forcing Alcaraz into awkward spots and pouncing on any hesitation. He claimed the first set, a rare sight against Alcaraz in New York.
The ATP said Alcaraz quickly found his rhythm after dropping the first set, producing what was possibly his best stretch of tennis in the tournament during the second. The match turned quickly: frustrated and struggling with his serve, Alcaraz saved a double break point early in the set. That hold seemed to stall Faria’s momentum. Alcaraz then swept the set 6-0. His serve speed rose from 195 km/h to 209 km/h, while his first-serve percentage climbed from 52% to 65% by the end. The shift was mental as well as technical: Alcaraz’s confidence returned, and Faria’s challenge faded.
Alcaraz adjusted as the pressure mounted. Whenever Faria threatened, he answered with lobs and heavier forehands, then outlasted him in rallies. The final score, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in 2 hours and 39 minutes, doesn’t capture the tension of the opening stages. Before the tournament, Alcaraz said he had consulted his medical team before returning after a long injury layoff. The US Open said he was focusing on the process and how he felt on court instead of setting strict performance goals. The win tested his nerves and offered a sign of how he is recovering from injury, while also sending him into the next round.
Elsewhere, Dani Mérida and Paula Badosa advanced, while Rafa Jódar and Jaume Munar went out. Alcaraz will next face China’s Yibing Wu, ranked 113th. The day’s results show how unpredictable this year’s draw has been, with newcomers pushing established players.
As reported earlier, high-profile events in Spain often spark debate, but at the US Open the focus is on performance. Alcaraz’s rough start and comeback against Faria show that even top seeds feel the pressure. What stood out was how he recovered from the stumble. His next rounds will show whether this match points to deeper problems or another deep run.
