After patiently enduring a two-day delay in commencing his defence of the US Open title, Carlos Alcaraz exhibited a rare moment of inconsistency in an otherwise commanding victory over Lloyd Harris on Wednesday night, moving closer to the prospect of a historic repeat in New York.
The charismatic Spaniard, who has earned acclaim for his powerful shots, remarkable court coverage, and distinctive playing style, showcased his talents on the grand stage of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz’s performance was characterized by his ability to elevate his game during pivotal moments, resulting in a comfortable 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4) triumph over the 177th-ranked South African opponent.
Reflecting on his performance, Carlos Alcaraz remarked, “I believe I delivered a splendid performance from the very beginning to the final point. If I were to extract a key takeaway from this match, it would be the level of play I displayed during the second set.”
At just 20 years old, hailing from the southeastern coast of Spain, Carlos Alcaraz is aspiring to achieve a feat not seen since Roger Federer‘s dominance from 2004 to 2008: becoming the first consecutive men’s champion at Flushing Meadows.
Nevertheless, achieving this lofty goal will necessitate a more flawless execution as the competition intensifies in the upcoming matches.
Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest-ever No. 1 seed in a US Open men’s draw, initially took the court on Monday night for his opening-round encounter against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer.
However, he advanced due to an unfortunate walkover when his opponent suffered an ankle injury early in the match and subsequently retired.
Facing a sterner challenge in Harris, a formidable server who reached the US Open quarter-finals two years ago and ranked as high as No. 31 in the world before a season-ending wrist surgery, Alcaraz found himself locked in tightly contested games during the opening stages. Both players valiantly saved numerous break points in the first two games, showcasing their resilience.
As the match unfolded, it became evident that Harris struggled to cope with Alcaraz’s strategic shot selection and exceptional shotmaking. Alcaraz, with unwavering pressure, forced Harris into submission.
With screaming groundstrokes from the baseline and deft forehand volleys at the net, Alcaraz exhibited a diverse range of skills, often within the same point, pushing Harris to produce extraordinary winners just to stay in the rallies.
Alcaraz secured a crucial break in the fifth game of the opening set and calmly served it out. The second set witnessed Harris’s early unravelling, marked by consecutive double faults and errant first serves, resulting in another break for Alcaraz.
As Carlos Alcaraz advances in his quest for back-to-back US Open titles, his electrifying style and unwavering determination will undoubtedly keep tennis enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating his next remarkable performance.
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