Tennis-Night owl Alcaraz thrives in early third-round U.S. Open win

Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 29, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning his third round match against Italy's Luciano Darderi REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Five-times major winner Carlos Alcaraz is used to playing under the U.S. Open's bright lights but thrived under the afternoon sun as he brushed aside injury concerns to beat Italy's Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-4 6-0.

Organisers typically save the Spanish second seed for the prime time evening slot but gave dayside ticket-holders a treat as they scheduled Alcaraz's third-round affair for the first match of the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium.