The 23-year-old, who missed competitive action because of a right wrist injury, admitted that he had some uncertainty about how he would cope physically upon returning to the Tour. Instead, Alcaraz has recovered well after each match and believes his condition has improved with every outing in New York.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt didn\u2019t happen to me. I am feeling better and better after every match. It feels like I have been competing the whole time. So it surprised me the way that I\u2019m feeling and the way that I\u2019m recovering after every match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m just really happy about how I\u2019m able to perform at my best after every match. Doesn\u2019t matter if I\u2019m playing four or three sets. So I\u2019m just really happy about it,\" Alcaraz was quoted by ATP.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alcaraz\u2019s results have offered further evidence of a smooth comeback. He has surrendered only one set so far, against Jaime Faria in the second round, while making his way through the early stages of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the Spaniard was keen to stress that the scoreboard does not necessarily reflect the physical and technical demands he has faced on court.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe scores can say it was pretty easy, but for me and the way that I felt on the court, it was really tough and really demanding physically in terms of tennis,\u201d Alcaraz shared. \u201cIt was really difficult. I\u2019m not thinking that everything is coming easy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling that every point and every game, I had to earn it. It is a way to keep myself with my feet on the ground and thinking point after point and trying to do my best in every situation of the match.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That mindset will be important in the fourth round, where Alcaraz is set to meet American Tommy Paul.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Spaniard holds a 6-2 advantage over Paul in their Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings, but he expects another demanding encounter against an opponent who has shown his ability to trouble leading players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Paul arrives with confidence after a notable run of results, including a victory over Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati last month in which he saved a match point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is anticipating another competitive chapter in what has already been a testing rivalry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Paul arrives with confidence after a notable run of results, including a victory over Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati last month in which he saved a match point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited. I\u2019m really looking forward to playing him once again. Great battles. He\u2019s such a nice guy. We just feel like we\u2019re having fun, we pull off great points, great shots. It\u2019s going to be really fun to watch, fun to play, as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n