Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a commanding straight-sets victory, while Novak Djokovic was forced to dig deep to keep his title hopes alive.
The 22-year-old Spanish second seed dismantled Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in just one hour and 36 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium, producing 32 winners in a dominant display. He will next face compatriot Luciano Darderi, seeded 32nd.
“I played great, from the first ball to the last,” Alcaraz said after the win.
Djokovic, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown, lost the opening set to American qualifier Zachary Svajda before regaining control for a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 victory. The 38-year-old Serb, now into the third round for a record-equalling 19th time, will meet Britain’s Cameron Norrie next.
Other Men’s Highlights
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Norway’s Casper Ruud, the 2022 finalist, crashed out in five sets to Belgium’s Raphael Collignon.
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Fourth seed Taylor Fritz and fellow American Frances Tiafoe both advanced with hard-fought four-set wins.
Women’s Draw
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Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start to beat Polina Kudermetova 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 and set up a clash with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.
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In a shock upset, Taylor Townsend defeated Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1, sparking a fiery post-match row after Ostapenko accused her of lacking “class.”
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Emma Raducanu kept her momentum with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen and will now face ninth seed Elena Rybakina.
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The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala exited after losing to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, while fourth seed Jessica Pegula and veteran Victoria Azarenka advanced safely.
Alcaraz looks in peak form as he marches towards a potential semi-final showdown with Djokovic, while drama continues to unfold in the women’s draw with both upsets and fiery exchanges adding extra intrigue.