Carlos Alcaraz races into third round with crushing win over Mattia Bellucci

Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a crushing 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 win over Italy's Mattia Bellucci on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In the opening match of the evening session, the Spaniard broke his opponent’s serve seven times while never facing a break point himself, striking 32 winners and winning 86% of points behind his first serve.



Second seed and 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz avoided a repeat of last year’s second-round exit, immediately asserting control by breaking Bellucci twice in the opening set while displaying his trademark forehand power and crisp volleys.


Bellucci was lauded by the crowd when he avoided a first-set shutout by getting on the board, but Alcaraz raced through the second set with a flawless 6-0 display.


The Italian struggled to cope with the Spaniard’s relentless baseline pressure, though he did show resistance in the third, holding serve early and stretching Alcaraz in several tight rallies.

Ultimately, a crucial break for 4-3 swung the set decisively in Alcaraz’s favor, and he closed out the contest 6-3, sealing victory as Bellucci double-faulted on match point.


"I played great from the beginning to the last ball," Alcaraz, who will next face Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the third round, said in his post-match interview on the court.

"I know Mattia's level and today wasn't his day. 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."