New York, Aug 28 (IANS) – Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the third round of the US Open with a dominant 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Mattia Bellucci. The world No. 2 has now won 41 of his past 43 matches and is chasing his eighth consecutive tournament final.
This year’s performance already surpasses his 2024 US Open run, which ended in a surprising second-round exit to Botic van de Zandschulp. Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has now reached the third round in 16 of his 19 major appearances. He next faces 32nd seed Luciano Darderi, who overcame American wild card Eliot Spizzirri 6-0, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4. It will be the first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between Alcaraz and Darderi.
American Ben Shelton also booked his place in Round 3, defeating Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in a clash of former US Open semifinalists. Shelton, fresh off his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal, has now reached the third round at nine consecutive Grand Slams. He will face experienced Frenchman Adrian Mannarino next and is on course for a potential quarterfinal showdown with Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic extended his perfect second-round record in New York, overcoming American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. The 38-year-old Serbian struggled to find his top gear early but rallied to secure victory and advance to the third round at a major for a record-breaking 75th time, surpassing Roger Federer’s mark of 74.
Djokovic, seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and his first since the 2023 US Open, will next face either Cameron Norrie or Francisco Comesana.
–IANS
bc/
