NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz is advancing at the US Open, thanks to a decisive triumph in the second round on Wednesday night, a stark contrast to his exit at this stage last year in the prestigious tournament.
The No. 2 seed, Alcaraz — who opted for a buzz cut after a mishap with his brother’s haircutting skills — comfortably dispatched Italy’s 65th-ranked Mattia Bellucci with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking just over 1.5 hours.
Alcaraz remained untroubled, not facing a single break point and boasting a remarkable advantage in winners at 32-11. This performance was a far cry from his previous second-round match at Flushing Meadows in 2024.
Heading into that match with a 15-match unbeaten streak in major tournaments — bolstered by victories at both the French Open and Wimbledon — Alcaraz faced an unexpected setback against Botic van de Zandschulp, suffering a straight-set defeat.
This time, however, there was no indication of a shocking upset against Bellucci.
“I played really well, to be honest,” Alcaraz reflected after the match. “It just wasn’t his day, and I capitalized on his mistakes.”
Alcaraz and No. 1 Jannik Sinner have now captured the last seven major titles together.
