In the second round of the US Open on hard court, we will see Spain's Carlos Alcaraz face off against South African Lloyd Harris. I'm placing my bet on an Alcaraz victory with a game handicap of -7.
The 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, leading the world ranking, breezed through the first round of the US Open, defeating Koepfer when he retired at a score of 6:2, 3:2. Previously, at a tournament in Cincinnati, Alcaraz reached the finals, earning victories against Thompson with a score of 7:5, 4:6, 6:3, Paul 7:6 (8:6), 6:7 (0:7), 6:3, Purcell 4:6, 6:3, 6:4, and Hurkacz 2:6, 7:6 (7:4), 6:3; his streak was ended by Djokovic 7:5, 6:7 (7:9), 6:7 (4:7).
In previous matches in Toronto, Alcaraz made it to the quarterfinals, overcoming Shelton 6:3, 7:6 (7:3) and Hurkacz 3:6, 7:6 (7:2), 7:6 (7:3), but was defeated by Paul with a score of 3:6, 6:4, 3:6. In July, Alcaraz triumphed at Wimbledon, advancing past Chardy 6:0, 6:2, 7:5, Mueller 6:4, 7:6 (7:2), 6:3, and Harris 6:3, 6:7 (6:8), 6:3, 7:5, Berrettini 3:6, 6:3, 6:3, 6:3, Rune 7:6 (7:3), 6:4, 6:4, Medvedev 6:3, 6:3, 6:3 to a titanic final set victory against Djokovic 1:6, 7:6 (8:6), 6:1, 3:6, 6:4.
Alcaraz demonstrated a strong performance at the French Open in June, reaching the semifinals. During that tournament, he prevailed over Korda, Daniel, Shapovalov, Moutet, and Tsitsipas, but eventually lost to Djokovic. The Rome Open has been his lowest point this season, losing to Marcora in the second round after cruising past Ramos in the first. Alcaraz kicked off May by claiming victory at the Madrid Open and has also previous titles in Barcelona, Indian Wells, and Buenos Aires.
26-year-old Lloyd Harris currently ranks 177th in the world and claimed his first victory at the US Open against Paire with a score of 7:6 (7:5), 6:4, 6:4. Harris previously participated in the Cincinnati tournament, falling short in the first round against Purcell with a score of 4:6, 4:6 and advancing to the quarterfinals in Cary Challenger.
During the latter tournament, he overcame Mochizuki with a score of 6:7 (4:7), 6:3, 6:2 and Cazaux 6:4, 7:6 (7:4), but finally succumbed to Broady with a score of 3:6, 4:6. In the Washington tournament, Harris failed to advance past the first round, losing to Shimabukuro with a score of 4:6, 3:6.
Harris performed in Atlanta at the end of June, where he defeated Duckworth with a score of 3:6, 6:3, 6:2, but was defeated by Humbert 6:7 (6:8), 4:6. He also successfully qualified for the tournament by defeating Yang and Mmoh, however, he fell to Barrere in the first round of Wimbledon with the score of 5:7, 7:6 (7:4), 5:7, 3:6. In June, Harris reached the semifinals in Mallorca, overcoming Vesely 6:7 (3:7), 6:3, 6:3 among others, but ultimately lost to Eubanks with a score of 6:4, 3:6, 6:7 (9:11).
Previously, Harris struggled with a string of poor results, losing nine of his last eleven matches. Harris has jousted with several opponents over the year, suffering losses to Shapovalov in Halle, Fils in Hertogenbosch, Zverev at the French Open, and Rinderknech in Lyon amongst others. Currently, he stands as a formidable opponent coming of a strong presence in the Tenerife Challenger semi-finals, defeating Galovic, Passaro, and Marcora. However, his remaining match against Brancaccio had to be forfeited, marking the beginning of a losing streak.
The athletes have never competed against one another before.
Harris held a firm grip in his opening match, but I believe his tournament will end thereafter. Alcaraz is comfortable on the hard court and enters the upcoming match as the favourite. I expect an overwhelming victory for him.
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