Alcaraz Rebounds With 8 Straight Games to Beat Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2

Carlos Alcaraz secured a four-set victory over Jaime Faria on Wednesday night, winning eight consecutive games after dropping the opening set in New York.

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday night by defeating Jaime Faria with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. The No. 2-seeded defending champion overcame a mid-set service break at 3-4 in the first set to eventually dominate the match, at one point winning eight consecutive games. This victory in New York marks a significant step for the 23-year-old, who entered the tournament following a four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Statistically, the match highlighted a shift in Alcaraz's defensive consistency compared to his 2025 title run. During his championship campaign last year, he lost his serve only three times across 101 service games. In contrast, he has already seen his serve broken three times through the first two matches of this year's tournament, including twice during the four-set battle against Faria. Despite the early deficit, Alcaraz extended his current Grand Slam winning streak to 16 matches, the longest of his career, and improved his recent major record to 29-1.

Recovery from Wrist Injury and Physical Testing

Alcaraz noted that playing four sets provided a necessary physical assessment of his body following his extended absence from the tour. The Spaniard, who won his first major at Flushing Meadows in 2022 at age 19, stated that he is no longer experiencing pain and is hitting his forehand without restrictions during practice sessions. He admitted that his initial strategy after being broken in the first set was to rush points, which he identified as a mistake. He corrected his approach by focusing on longer rallies of three to five shots rather than attempting to end points prematurely.

Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, commented on Alcaraz's status, noting that while the long-term durability of the Spaniard's wrist remains to be seen as the tournament progresses, he remains a top favorite for the title. Alcaraz himself expressed that he felt it was important to hit the ball with his pre-injury intensity, stating there was no reason to be afraid of hitting normally.

Historical Context and Tournament Performance

The loss of the opening set to Faria, who is three months younger than Alcaraz, marked a departure from Alcaraz’s 2025 performance. Last year, he did not drop a single set until the final against Jannik Sinner, a feat that made him the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to reach the US Open final with a perfect set record. He eventually defeated Sinner in four sets to claim his second title in New York. His only loss in his last 30 major matches occurred against Sinner in the 2025 Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz, who earned his seventh major title at the Australian Open earlier this year, emphasized the importance of staying calm after the 4-6 start. He credited his ability to refocus for the flawless stretches of tennis that followed in the final three sets. The match concluded at 11:47 PM ET, confirming Alcaraz's progression as he seeks to defend his crown in Flushing Meadows.