Carlos Alcaraz brushes aside Lloyd Harris at US Open

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz edged closer to a US Open rematch with Italy’s Jannik Sinner on Thursday after breezing into the third round.

Defending champion Alcaraz eased into a last 32 meeting with Britain’s Dan Evans after dispatching South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in 2 hours 28 minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt.

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It means Alcaraz is just two wins away from a potential quarter-final collision with Italian sixth seed Sinner, who continued his serene progress through the draw with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of compatriot Lorenzo Sonego.

Last year, Alcaraz and Sinner produced an epic five-set quarter-final classic that was not completed until 02.50 local time – the latest ever finish in US Open history.

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After their performances on Thursday, few would bet against a repeat of last year’s heavyweight slugfest in this year’s quarter-finals.

“I think I played a great match from the beginning to the last ball,” said Carlos Alcaraz, who is bidding to become the first man to defend the US Open since 2008, when Roger Federer hoisted the trophy for a fifth straight year.

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