Carlos Alcaraz continued his title defence at the US Open 2026 with a commanding comeback victory over Portugal’s Jaime Faria, recovering from a slow start to win 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 and advance to the third round.
The defending champion entered the match looking to build momentum after returning to competitive tennis following a lengthy absence caused by a right wrist injury. Although Alcaraz initially struggled against Faria’s powerful game, the Spaniard quickly found his rhythm and took control of the contest.
Alcaraz Overcomes Early Challenge From Faria
World No. 72 Jaime Faria made an impressive start against Alcaraz. The Portuguese player secured the first break at 3-3 in the opening set after Alcaraz missed a forehand that would normally be one of his strongest attacking shots.
Faria used his powerful serve to keep Alcaraz under pressure and eventually closed out the first set 6-4.
Alcaraz admitted afterward that he had been too impatient during the opening stages. Against Faria, whose serve can reach around 140 mph, the Spaniard knew he had little margin for error.
However, the setback did not last long.
Second Set Changes the Match
Alcaraz immediately raised his intensity in the second set. After saving a break point in his opening service game, he produced a remarkable run of eight consecutive games.
A spectacular forehand passing shot gave Alcaraz his first break of the match and sparked a huge reaction from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. The second set lasted only 33 minutes, with Alcaraz winning it 6-0 to completely shift the momentum.
From that point, the match increasingly looked like the contest many expected before it began.
The Spaniard began striking the ball more cleanly, moving aggressively around the court and forcing Faria into difficult defensive positions.
Carlos Alcaraz Finishes Strong
Faria continued to compete in the third set, but Alcaraz steadily tightened his grip on the match. His shot-making became increasingly effective as he won the third set 6-3.
The fourth set proved much more one-sided. With Faria struggling to maintain his level on serve, Alcaraz moved through the final set 6-2 to complete the comeback after two hours and 40 minutes.
Alcaraz finished with 43 winners and won 70% of his second-serve points, a significant advantage over Faria.
For Alcaraz, the performance was particularly encouraging given that this is his first tournament since April because of his wrist injury.
Alcaraz US Open 2026 Title Defence Continues
The victory keeps Alcaraz’s bid for another US Open championship firmly alive. The Spaniard has already won the tournament twice, claiming his first Grand Slam title in New York in 2022 before lifting the trophy again in 2025.
A successful defence would make Alcaraz the first player since Roger Federer to win consecutive US Open titles, following Federer’s five straight championships from 2004 through 2008.
The 23-year-old also arrived at the US Open having already achieved another major milestone in his career. Earlier in 2026, Alcaraz became the youngest men’s player to complete the Career Grand Slam at the age of 22.
His latest victory also moved him to 26 main-draw wins at the US Open, his highest total at any Grand Slam tournament.
Who Will Alcaraz Face Next?
Alcaraz will meet China’s Wu Yibing in the third round of the US Open 2026. Wu advanced after defeating James Duckworth 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
Alcaraz currently leads his head-to-head record against Wu 1-0. Their only previous meeting came at the Shanghai Masters in 2024.
The next match will provide another test of how quickly Alcaraz is returning to his best level after his injury layoff.
Faria Tennis Campaign Ends Against Defending Champion
For Jaime Faria, the defeat ends a memorable challenge against one of the biggest names in tennis. The Portuguese player showed why his powerful game can make him dangerous, particularly during the opening set.
Faria’s serve created problems for Alcaraz early on, but maintaining that level against a player capable of changing the tempo so quickly proved difficult.
Despite the loss, Faria’s performance against the defending champion offered another valuable experience in his developing career.
US Open Bracket Takes Shape
As the US Open bracket progresses, Alcaraz remains one of the leading names in the men’s draw. His ability to recover after losing the opening set will give his supporters plenty of encouragement as the tournament moves deeper into the second week.
For now, the focus is on Wu Yibing and another step toward the final stages of the US Open tennis championships.
Alcaraz’s comeback against Faria showed both sides of his game: the vulnerability of a player returning from a long injury absence and the extraordinary ability to raise his level when the pressure increases. If he continues improving with every round, his US Open title defence could become increasingly dangerous for the rest of the field.
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