Alcaraz rolls over Darderi to secure his place in the US Open round of 16.

Sports Writing (USA) (EFE).- Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz only needed one hour and 44 minutes this Friday to solve his third-round match of the US Open against the Italian-Argentine Luciano Darderi (6-2, 6-4 and 6-0) and qualified for the round of 16 of the New York 'major'.

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After shining at a stellar level against Reilly Opelka and the Italian Mattia Bellucci, Alcaraz prolonged his sweet moment and reached 80 career wins in a 'major'. The Murcian, champion of the US Open in 2022, will regain the number one spot in the world ranking if he equals or betters the result of the Italian Jannik Sinner in this tournament. Alcaraz is experiencing a great moment of form, having added his 20th victory on New York cement and having only lost three times in this tournament in his career.

Dominance in the First Alcaraz-Darderi Duel

Friday's match, which opened the program on the Arthur Ashe court in the local morning, was Alcaraz's 57th victory of his great year, as he fights in the Big Apple for his seventh title of the season. Furthermore, since April he has an amazing record of 42 wins and only two losses. He gave no chance to the Italian-Argentine Darderi, born in Villa Gesell (Argentina), but who competes representing the Italian flag, in the first ever match between the two.

Alcaraz immediately put the match downhill. He achieved the first break in the second game of the match and barely lost two points on his serve in a first set that ended 6-2 when the timer had not yet reached 30 minutes. Wearing a pink sleeveless shirt, Alcaraz continued to delight the New York audience with spectacular points, including a masterful defense that forced Darderi to attempt two or three winning shots, without success. The only moment of trouble for the player from Murcia came at the end of the second set, when he had to ask for medical attention for discomfort in his right knee.

Just a scare

The Murcian informed the 'physio' that he felt pain in the lower part of his knee, but was able to continue competing without major consequences.

"I feel good, I felt something that wasn't working well in my knee, but after five or six points it was gone. I wanted to be well, to finish well. I didn't talk to my team, but I'm not worried about it," Alcaraz said after his victory, reassuring his fans. Shortly before calling the physiotherapist, Alcaraz had suffered the first and only break of his match, although at that moment he was already leading 4-2. Darderi managed to come back to 4-4, but, after receiving medical attention, Alcaraz achieved the key 'break' in the tenth game to go up two sets to zero.

The balance of the Murcian when he wins by two sets in a 'major' speaks clearly: 48-0. He gave Darderi no chance in the third set and, in 26 minutes, secured the round pass.

"I just tried to start awake, I wanted to start focused, with energy, I think I started well, taking him to the limit. I think I did well. I played great tennis, so I am very proud," Alcaraz highlighted.