After waiting two additional days for the proper launch of his US Open title defence, Carlos Alcaraz overcame some uncharacteristic sloppiness in an otherwise straightforward win over Lloyd Harris on Wednesday night to move one step closer to a rare repeat in New York.
The crowd-pleasing Spaniard showed off the bruising power, incomparable all-court movement and signature variety that have carried him to the pinnacle of tennis, saving his best play for the biggest points in a stress-free 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over the 177th-ranked South African inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
