"Been a great year for me" - Alcaraz after good start in New York

Carlos Alcaraz started well at the US Open and his display against Federico Coria should give him a lot of confidence moving forward.

The Spaniard played a very complete match except for the final set where he squandered a lead late to give Coria a chance. He responded well to that challenge escaping with a 7-5 final set finish. Speaking after the match, Alcaraz conceded that finishing off a match is never easy:

“It is never easy to close [out] a match. Federico started to play very well. I had to stay calm to think [about] what I had to do at that moment. I stayed calm and focused in the tough moments."

Alcaraz is continuing his strong year that already features two ATP 1000 wins and a couple of finals that he lost. He's happy about it as it wasn't something he expected to come so soon:

“It has been a great year for me. I think I am playing very well. I am so happy to be the player who now has the most victories in the year. But I have to look forward and stay the same player and go for it.”