Sept. 3 (UPI) — Carlos Alcaraz took a positive mindset in response to his second-round win at the 2026 U.S. Open, which required a rare four sets from the Spaniard in Flushing, N.Y.
The world No. 3 held a 43-27 advantage in winners and converted 7 of 12 break point opportunities in the 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over No. 72 Jaime Faria of Portugal on Wednesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He totaled 29 unforced errors, against Faria’s 38, in the 2-hour, 40-minute match.
Alcaraz told reporters he would have preferred a quicker victory, but said it was good he had the chance to test his previously ailing right wrist, which required a four-month hiatus before his return to the sport at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
“But, at the end, I realized that just playing four sets, it was really good for me to test everything physically, to test my body, how I feel, and [Thursday] how I’m going to feel after this match,” Alcaraz said.
The tournament favorite and defending champion said he is “feeling great” and there was “no reason to be afraid” of not hitting the ball in typical fashion.
“I know once I step on the court, I’ve just got to go for it every time,” Alcaraz said. “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.”
Wednesday marked just the third time Alcaraz dropped a first set in singles play at the U.S. Open. He did not play a four-set match at the 2025 tournament until his 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Italian Jannik Sinner in the 2025 men’s singles finale.
The Spaniard will now meet No. 113 Yibing Wu of China in the third round. Wu advanced with a straight-sets triumph over No. 71 James Duckworth of Australia. The winner of that match will take on No. 21 Tommy Paul of the United States or No. 16 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the fourth round of the year’s final Grand Slam.
No. 7 Alex de Minaur of Australia, No. 8 Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Americans Ben Shelton (No. 9) and Frances Tiafoe (No. 12) were among the other top men to advance to the third round.
No. 124 Yunchaokete Bu of China ousted No. 13 Rafael Jodar of Spain through a straight-sets upset victory. No. 17 Brandon Nakashima of the United States and No. 24 Alexander Rublev of Russia also exited through upset losses on Day 4.
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States, No. 6 Linda Noskova of Czechia, No. 7 Karolina Muchova of Czechia, No. 9 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and No. 11 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine were among the top women to win Wednesday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, No. 8 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. 10 Amanda Anisimova of the United States will be the top women in action on Day 5.
No. 2 Alexander Zverev of Germany, No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, No. 6 Flavio Cobolli of Italy, de Minaur and No. 10 Taylor Fritz of the United States are the highest-ranked men with matches Thursday in the 2026 U.S. Open.
Day 5 coverage will start at 11:30 a.m. EDT Thursday on ESPN.
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after match point, defeating Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey in straight sets during their first round match during the 2026 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., on September 1, 2026. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo