Carlos Alcaraz moves into US Open third round as defending champion notches straight-sets win over South African Lloyd Harris in New York

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz entered the third round of the US Open with another win in straight sets.

This time the victim was Lloyd Harris, who trained with Alcaraz when the world number 1 was 15 at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy.

The South African put Alcaraz to the test in the third set, but the seemingly unstoppable force still recorded a 6-3 6-1 7-6 (4) victory.

“I think I played a great game from the start to the last ball, but if I have to get something out of the game, I want to keep the level of the second set,” says 20-year-old Alcaraz.

“I had to stay focused, stay mentally strong. It was pretty good for me and winning in straight sets is very important in the first rounds.’

South African Harris gave Alcaraz a test in the third set but he still won 6-3 6-1 7-6 (4)

‘I think I played a great game from the start to the last ball’, Alcaraz said afterwards

Dan Evans put himself on a collision course with Alcaraz after becoming the fourth British player to reach the third round of the US Open.

The 33-year-old rounded off another strong day for the GB contingent by joining Jack Draper, Cam Norrie and Katie Boulter in the last 32 of the singles at Flushing Meadows.

He now takes on Alcaraz, the winner of which will face Norrie in the fourth round. Evans played the world No. 1 twice and lost both times. They last met this year at the Barcelona Open on clay, where the Spaniard won 6-2 6-2.

Evans earned his probable shot thanks to a lopsided 1-6 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory over Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp, whose level dropped against a determined opponent who has set a very decent record in New York.

Harris was unable to live with Alcaraz during their second-round duel on Thursday night

The defending champion stretches to reach a forehand at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Harris once trained with Alcaraz when the Spaniard was 15 at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy

There was also a routine win for Jannik Sinner, who defeated sixth seed compatriot Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

American ninth seed Taylor Fritz also won in straight sets, passing Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas 6-1 6-2 6-2.

Seeded 12th, Alexander Zverev won the all-German clash against Daniel Altmaier in four sets and will face Grigor Dimitrov, the 19th seed who knocked out former champion Andy Murray.

The long-serving American John Isner, fittingly enough, set the time in his career in a fifth-set tiebreak when he lost his final match to compatriot Michael Mmoh.