Alcaraz barely breaks sweat in Bellucci rout

NEW YORK: Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the third round of the US Open with a blistering straight-sets victory on Wednesday as Novak Djokovic overcame an early scare to advance.

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Alcaraz, who could meet Djokovic in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows if the draw follows the seedings, blew away Italy's Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in just one hour 36 minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium main court.

The 22-year-old Spanish second seed unfurled a stream of 32 winners in a dominant display against the 65thranked Bellucci, whose best performance in a Grand Slam came with a run to the third round at Wimbledon earlier this year.

“] played great to be honest, from the beginning until the last ball,’ said Alcaraz, who will face another Italian, 32nd seed Luciano Darderi, in the next round.

“The less time I spend on court the better for me, to go to bed early,” he added.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Serbian legend Djokovic kept his dream of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title alive after a four-set defeat of American qualifier Zachary Svajda.

Djokovic though was forced to dig deep after losing the first set before claiming a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win.

Djokovic, 38, said that while not at his best, he is hoping to play himself into form as the tournament progresses.

“That's what I’m hoping, the deeper I go into the tournament the better I feel about my game,’ he said.

RUUD FALLS BY WAYSIDE