Alcaraz Rallies Past Faria in 4 Sets to Reach US Open Third Round

Q: Did Alcaraz's comeback stem from tactical brilliance, or did Faria simply crumble under the immense pressure of the major stage?

It was more Alcaraz’s adjustment than a simple collapse from Faria, though the pressure clearly exposed the gap once momentum shifted. The key evidence is Alcaraz’s own tactical change. After losing the first set, he said he had been rushing and trying to finish points too quickly, which he called a mistake. He then deliberately became more patient, extended rallies to three, four and five shots, and waited for better chances to attack. That change matches what played out on court: he won eight straight games, reset the rhythm, and forced Faria to hit extra balls under constant pressure. Faria did not suddenly disappear at the start. He served well and earned the first-set break on merit, and Alcaraz even had to save two break points in the opening game of the second set. That suggests the match turned at a tactical hinge rather than through instant panic alone. Once Alcaraz survived that moment, however, his consistency and heavier groundstrokes took over. The major-stage pressure still mattered. Faria is 22, ranked outside the elite, and facing the defending champion in New York. When Alcaraz raised his level and lengthened exchanges, Faria’s serve and early aggression were harder to sustain. His level dipped as the champion’s control grew. So the comeback was driven mainly by Alcaraz’s experience, patience and problem-solving, with Faria’s fade more a consequence of being squeezed by a top player than a pure mental crumble.

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Sep 3

Carlos Alcaraz dropped the opening set but beat Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday night to move into the US Open third round.
Eight straight games turned the match after the defending champion was broken in the first set; Alcaraz said he settled down, stopped rushing points and returned to longer rallies.
Four months out with a right wrist injury shaped his view of the extra set, with Alcaraz saying the longer match helped test his body after missing the French Open and Wimbledon.
No. 2 seed Alcaraz said he is pain-free and hitting his forehand without restrictions, while Daniil Medvedev called him a top title favorite if his wrist holds up deeper into the tournament.
The 23-year-old owns 7 major titles and has won 16 straight Grand Slam matches, after taking last year's US Open and this year's Australian Open.