Carlos Alcaraz lowered the expectations of one-time quarter-finalist Lloyd Harris as the top seed defeated the South African 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4) on Thursday to reach the US Open third round.
The world No. 1 Spaniard was relatively untroubled by the 177th-ranked journeyman who reached the last eight here two years ago but missed the last six months of 2022 with a wrist injury.
Alcaraz, who lost the Cincinnati final to hot rival Novak Djokovic less than a fortnight ago, improved his season record to 55-6 as he bids to defend his Flushing Meadows title.
He now stands 18-3 on hardcourts and has won six trophies since January.
Alcaraz broke twice in each of the first two sets as the 20-year-old took a stranglehold on the contest after less than 90 minutes.
The top seed had to work to get out of a long fourth game in the third set to level at 2-all, with a running smash at the net getting the job done.
But Alcaraz lost serve to love in the sixth game, with Harris taking a 4-2 lead only to drop serve moments later, 4-3.
The set went to a tiebreaker where the Spaniard lost a 3-1 lead but got it back and finished up on his first match point after two and a half hours.
“I played a great match from start to the last ball,” Alcaraz said. “When I lost serve in the third set I had to forget it (and break back a game later).
“I was focused and waiting for my chances. I stayed strong mentally.
“To win in straight sets is really important for me in these early rounds.”
Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz was untroubled by Lloyd Harris today by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd.
