NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz passed his first true test of the 2023 US Open, defeating spirited South African Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(4).
Alcaraz received a second-set retirement from Dominik Kopefer (ankle) in his opening match, but got the opportunity to stress test his game against the powerful 26-year-old Afrcian on Thursday night.
The youngest US Open top seed in tournament history, Alcaraz defended nine of 10 break points faced and recovered from being a break down midway through the third set.
The Spaniard, who is looking to become the first back-to-back champion at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer won five straight titles from 2004-2008, improved to 55-6 (18-3 on hard) on the season. He is chasing his seventh title of the season and third career major.
Harris, who frequently challenged Alcaraz with big second serves, was a US Open quarter-finalist in 2021 but missed the last six months of the 2022 season with a wrist injury.
Alcaraz will face a difficult test in the third round against gritty Brit and recent Washington champion Daniel Evans.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]On the other hand, Stan Wawrinka rolled back the years on Thursday at the US Open to survive a baseline slugfest against 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Wawrinka, who lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2016, displayed vintage firepower and pristine fitness as he battled past the Argentine 7-6(6), 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-2 after three hours, 39 minutes.
After a win, Wawrinka set a blockbuster third-round clash against sixth seed Italian Jannik Sinner.
Making his 16th appearance at the season's final major, 38-year-old Wawrinka is the oldest man to reach the US Open third round since a 39-year-old Jimmy Connors was a semifinalist in 1991.
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