Even the most precise, efficient machines have days when they falter and need fine tuning. Carlos Alcaraz is no exception. The El Palmar champion continues to push through the US Open and eyes a historic repeat, aiming to be the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to win the title back to back. This Saturday featured a gripping third round clash against British player Daniel Evans. The result read 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, with Alcaraz showing late resilience to keep his title ambitions alive. The questions now are simple: how does he adjust, and what will it take to crest that peak in New York?
Daniel Evans, the 33-year-old veteran who endured a tough period after a suspension for cocaine use in Barcelona in 2017, has steadily rebuilt his standing on tour. He captured a second career title in Washington this summer and sits at No. 28 in the rankings. Evans did not rely on raw power alone but used his varied game to probe Alcaraz, matching him with patient rhythm and sharp court sense rather than relying on one overpowering weapon. It was a performance that reminded observers of the thoughtful, multifaceted approach Evans has cultivated over years on the tour.
Alcaraz faced some early struggles on serve, posting a first-serve percentage around 57 percent, below Evans’s effectiveness. The young Spaniard oscillated between moments of brilliant pressure and unforced errors, with Evans exploiting those swings to claim a pair of breaks in the second and third sets. The dynamic mirrored the wider contest: a high-velocity lefty with explosive shotmaking against a wily opponent who used tempo changes and strategic placements to keep the rally pace unpredictable.
Both players fed the crowd with energy. Alcaraz displayed moments of warmth and swagger, while Evans offered bursts of frustration that punctuated the ebb and flow of the match. In the decisive fourth set, Evans found himself on the wrong end of a critical service game at the moment that could have swung the momentum back in his favor. Yet Alcaraz remained composed, turning up the intensity and sportsmanship, earning rousing cheers as he closed out the set and advanced in straight sets in spirit as well as score. The night left spectators debating the margins where experience and instinct can shape a single afternoon into a turning point.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz will chase another opportunity on Monday when he meets Italian Matteo Arnaldi, aged 22, for the first time in his career. Arnaldi arrives with confidence after a strong performance in earlier rounds and a pace that may test the Spaniard’s return game and footwork. The match belongs to the emerging landscape of young talents who are eager to prove they can contend with the sport’s established greats. Meanwhile, Arnaldi’s recent form has drawn attention as a potential landmark encounter for both players and fans who relish the next generation clashing on grand stages.
Djokovic, return and a warning to rivals
In the other half of the draw, Novak Djokovic also demonstrated his grit in the third round. The Serbian star faced a stern challenge from Laslo Djere and found himself pushed to the limit. Djokovic took the first two sets before Djere surged back, forcing a dramatic finish after three hours and 45 minutes. The match underscored the enduring stamina and strategic ingenuity that Djokovic has shown across seasons, a reminder that every major can demand a battle until late into the night.
The contest reinforced what Alcaraz had noted beforehand: neither player can afford to ease off, regardless of the opponent’s current ranking. Djokovic showcased the kind of late-level acceleration that has become his hallmark, while his opponent highlighted the ever-shifting dynamics of the tournament. Djokovic’s reply to the tense stretch was to elevate his game, a message to the rest of the field that a champion remains vigilant. The next challenge for the 36-year-old will be Croatian Borna Gojo, currently ranked No. 105, who is sure to bring fresh energy and unpredictability to the court.