New Delhi: Carlos Alcaraz entered the third round of US Open in dominant fashion, with a 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 win over Mattia Bellucci.
The 2022 champion was eliminated in the second round last year but didn’t suffer from jitters on Wednesday as he played practically flawless tennis.
He is on course for a potential showdown with Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, who defeated Zachary Svajda earlier on Wednesday, but is still looking for his best form.
“I played great from the beginning to the last ball. I know Mattia’s level and today wasn’t his day, but I tried to make the most of his mistakes, trying to be in the match getting a good rhythm.
“I think a few things have to improve that I didn’t feel as good as I wanted, but in general I’m really happy with the performance today,” Alcaraz said after the match.
The second seed is scheduled to face 32nd-seeded Luciano Darderi, who defeated wild card entrant Eliot Spizzirri 6-0, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4. It will be Alcaraz and Darderi’s first head-to-head clash in the ATP tour.
Friends on course for quarter-final clash
Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro both advanced to the third round with similar victories and are poised to meet in the quarter-finals.
Fourth seeded Pegula won 6-1, 6-3 over Anna Blinkova while No. 10 Navarro beat Caty McNally 6-2, 6-1.
“Yeah, really happy. I’ve seen her beat a lot of top players. I really didn’t want her to get into a rhythm because she’s dangerous. I’m glad I came out fast and strong,” Pegula said.
It was Pegula’s fifth win in six matches against the No. 80-ranked Blinkova that set up a clash with Victoria Azarenka, who beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-3.
“I know she hasn’t been playing that much and she’s been hurt and all these things, but at the same time, when she’s on, she’s probably one of the best baseliners we’ve ever had. I mean, she can go toe to toe with anybody when she’s playing really well,” Pegula said of her next opponent.