Defending champion Alcaraz beats Vukic

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz entertained fans connected Court One pinch a stunning second-round triumph complete Australia's Aleksandar Vukic.

The brace played retired a thrilling topsy-turvy opening group earlier nan Spaniard took power and wrapped up a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 6-2 victory.

Alcaraz is attempting to triumph back-to-back awesome titles aft triumphing astatine nan French Open past month.

"I'm really happy astir my capacity today," nan 21-year-old said.

"The first group was nan cardinal for maine to propulsion retired each nan nerves. It was really close."

After coming done a five-setter against Sebastian Ofner successful nan first round, Vukic appeared fatigued and trailed 5-2 against Alcaraz successful nan first set.

However, he soon sparked to life, dealing pinch nan three-time awesome winner's operation of crafty driblet shots and powerful groundstrokes to triumph successive breaks and unit a tie-break.

It looked for illustration he would make different comeback successful nan tie-break, scrapping his measurement backmost from 5-1 down to 5-4.

But Alcaraz stepped up nan strength to return nan opener earlier dominating successful nan last 2 sets.

The world number 3 will look American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe, who he defeated successful nan semi-finals en way to his US Open triumph successful 2022.

"We played a really bully lucifer successful nan US Open. I cognize that he is simply a really talented player, he is moreover tougher present connected writer pinch his style," said Alcaraz.

"It's going to beryllium a really difficult lucifer for maine but I'm fresh to return that challenge, I'm fresh to play a really precocious level of tennis."

Tiafoe made it into nan 3rd information pinch a 7-6(5) 6-1 6-3 triumph against Croatia's Borna Coric.