2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz made a powerful statement at the US Open 2025, cruising past Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in a dominant performance. The Spanish star dropped just four games as he secured his spot in the third round.
August 28, 2025: In a stunning display of power and precision, 2022 US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the third round of the ongoing tournament with a ruthless 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Mattia Bellucci on Wednesday. The second seed from Spain needed only 1 hour and 36 minutes to get the job done, showcasing his formidable form at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz was in complete control from the first serve, delivering his most dominant Grand Slam performance by dropping a mere four games. He won an impressive 86% of his first service points and did not face a single break point against the unseeded Italian.
“I played great, to be honest, since the beginning until the last ball,” Alcaraz said after the match. “I know Mattia’s level, and today it wasn’t his day. But I tried to make the most of his mistakes… The less time I spend on court, I think it’s much better for me, to go to bed early, just to be fresh, to be ready for the next round as much as I can.”
The 22-year-old’s dominant second-round performance follows a strong opening match on Tuesday, where he defeated big-serving American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. Alcaraz’s new look—a buzz cut he sported for the first time on court—seems to be working in his favor as he continues his quest for a sixth major title.
After the win against Opelka, Alcaraz praised his own performance. “Today was a really difficult one against a really great player. With Reilly’s serve, I could not get that rhythm I wanted to get in the match,” he said. “I think the return was one of the best things I did today, and then I just tried to play my best tennis.”
With two commanding straight-set victories, Alcaraz has made it clear he is a strong contender for the title. He is set to face Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the third round as he continues his bid for a second US Open championship.