Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz secured a convincing 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory over South African Lloyd Harris to enter Round 3 of the 2023 US Open on Thursday, August 31.

Alcaraz, the youngest top seed in US Open history, demonstrated his prowess on multiple fronts. His powerful forehand, sharp defensive techniques, and creative play delighted the audience and had them fully engaged. The match was marked by intense rallies, with Alcaraz successfully fending off nine out of 10 break points and making a remarkable recovery after being a break down in the third set.

Harris, known for his robust game, presented a spirited challenge, showcasing his powerful shots that yielded 25 winners. Despite briefly leading the match, he was unable to maintain the momentum against Alcaraz’s resilience. After a brief hiccup that allowed Harris to take a lead in the third set, Alcaraz swiftly regained his composure and clinched victory in a tie-break.

The Spaniard’s journey at the US Open continues with his sights set on becoming the first back-to-back champion since Roger Federer’s legendary five-title run from 2004 to 2008. With an impressive season record of 55 wins and 6 losses, including 18 wins on hard courts, Alcaraz is a force to be reckoned with.

Harris, a former US Open quarter-finalist, demonstrated his mettle despite a challenging past year marred by a wrist injury that sidelined him for six months. Alcaraz’s road to the third round has been impressive, especially after his grueling matches at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which included a marathon final against Novak Djokovic.

As Alcaraz progresses to the next round, he faces yet another formidable opponent in British player Daniel Evans. Evans, a recent Washington champion, showcased his resilience by rallying from a heavy first-set defeat to emerge victorious in a four-set battle against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.