Alcaraz recovers from 1st-set loss to advance in US Open 2nd round, September 3

Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round Wednesday night after recovering from a first-set loss to Jaime Faria, winning 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. The 23-year-old returned to tournament play for the first time since a right wrist injury sidelined him for four months. Alcaraz's comeback unfolded through a pattern: after losing the opening set, Alcaraz rebounded by winning eight consecutive games, according to ESPN's reporting. Faria broke Alcaraz's serve midway through the first set and held the advantage until the momentum reversed. Fighting off two break points in the first game of the second set proved pivotal, per BBC Sport's account, allowing Alcaraz to reset. Alcaraz hit 16-match Grand Slam winning streak into this tournament, the longest of his career, and carries a 29-1 record in his past 30 major matches, per ESPN. Alcaraz said he realized too late that he was rushing: "After that I just wanted to play short points, which was a mistake for me. I just needed to play patient, to play long rallies, three, four, five shots, and then go for it," per BBC Sport's account. On his return, per ESPN's reporting, he added: "I know once I step on the court, I've just got to go for it every time. I've got to feel normal. I have to hit like I was hitting before the injury, and let's see what happens after that. I'm just feeling great. There is no reason to be afraid and not hitting normal." Alcaraz stressed that he is no longer in pain and has been hitting his forehand without restrictions in practice, according to ESPN. However, Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, offered a qualifier on the uncertainty ahead: "We have no idea how Carlos' wrist is going to feel, body is going to feel going later into the tournament, but he's definitely a top favorite for the title," per ESPN's reporting. Alcaraz is the No. 2 seed and faces China's Wu Yibing, ranked 113th, in the third round. Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are absent from the draw through injury and withdrawal respectively, per BBC Sport, altering the path to a potential third title.