Carlos Alcaraz dropped the first set to Jaime Faria but rallied to win in four. The match exposed some nerves but also his ability to adjust. Next up: Yibing Wu.
Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open started with a jolt. Up against Jaime Faria, ranked 73rd, Alcaraz lost the opening set 4-6 and looked unsettled, still shaking off a recent injury. The Arthur Ashe crowd of 24,000 watched as he struggled to find his footing, battling both Faria and his own uncertainty.
Faria, unfazed by the stage or Alcaraz’s reputation, came out swinging. The Portuguese player, known for his intensity, attacked from the start, forcing Alcaraz into awkward spots and taking advantage of any hesitation. He grabbed the first set, something rarely seen against Alcaraz in New York.
According to the ATP, after dropping the first set, Alcaraz quickly found his rhythm and delivered what was possibly his best stretch of tennis in the tournament during the second set.
The match turned quickly after that. Alcaraz, frustrated and struggling with his serve, saved a double break point early in the second set. That hold seemed to break Faria’s momentum. Alcaraz then swept the set 6-0, increased his serve speed from 195 km/h to 209 km/h, and raised his first serve percentage from 52% to 65% by the end. The change was as much mental as technical—Alcaraz’s confidence returned, and Faria’s challenge faded.
Alcaraz adapted as the pressure mounted. Whenever Faria threatened, Alcaraz responded—mixing in lobs, heavier forehands, and outlasting him in rallies. The final score, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in 2 hours and 39 minutes, doesn’t show how tense the early going was. For Alcaraz, this win was more than just a ticket to the next round; it was a test of his nerves and a sign of how he’s recovering from injury.
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, another chance to see where his game stands. The day’s results underline how unpredictable this year’s draw has been, with established players getting pushed by newcomers.
Before the tournament, Alcaraz emphasized that his return was made in consultation with his medical team after a long injury layoff, and he stated he was focusing on the process and his feelings on court rather than setting strict performance goals.
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 eventual comeback against Faria show that even top seeds feel the pressure. The story isn’t the stumble, but how he recovered. Whether this match signals deeper problems or marks the start of another deep run will become clear in the next rounds.
