Carlos Alcaraz has won the first set in each of his last 14 ATP Second Round matches, and he's won 15 straight Grand Slam main draw matches. That kind of pattern is hard to ignore when picking apart this US Open clash against Jaime Faria.

Quick Picks

Our Pick : Set 1 Winner: Carlos Alcaraz

Same Game Multi (our combination) : Match Betting: Carlos Alcaraz + Set 1 Winner: Carlos Alcaraz, built from Alcaraz's active Grand Slam win streak and his run of 14 straight opening sets won at this stage of majors

Alternative Pick : Set Betting: Carlos Alcaraz 3-0

Alcaraz's Fast Starts Set the Tone

This is a Second Round assignment for Alcaraz at the US Open, and his recent record at exactly this stage is the standout number in this preview.

He's taken the opening set in 14 consecutive ATP Second Round matches, a run that speaks to how quickly he imposes himself once the first ball is struck. Layer on his 15 match winning streak in Grand Slam main draws, and the pattern becomes a genuine strength rather than a one-off trend.

Faria is the one standing in the way, but nothing in the pack suggests he's found an answer to that fast-starting habit.

The specific start time and court for this second round match hadn't been officially released at time of writing, so check closer to the match once the order of play is posted.

How to watch Faria vs Alcaraz in Australia

We have an entire guide dedicated to watching the US Open in Australia where you will find all the info you need to follow the last Grand Slam event of the season as it happens.

Keep in mind that the US Open is streaming live on Stan Sport, although selected coverage is also available free-to-air on Channel 9 / 9Now. For broader options, see other sports available to stream live.

Where the Value Sits Beyond the Winner

Alcaraz's implied dominance in the Men's US Open betting odds lines up with his Grand Slam streak, but there's a wrinkle worth flagging: he's failed to cover the game handicap in each of his last five ATP main draw matches on hard court.

That tells us his wins haven't always been about crushing the game count, even while the results keep coming.

It's a reason to lean on the Set 1 market and outright result rather than a heavy games-based handicap, where his recent tendency has been to get the job done without piling up lopsided scorelines.

Faria vs Alcaraz Prediction

Back Alcaraz to win Set 1 as the anchor of this preview. He's opened with the first set in 14 straight ATP Second Round matches, and that habit sits alongside a 15 match Grand Slam winning streak that shows no signs of slowing.

The one thing to watch is his recent failure to cover the game handicap on hard courts, a reminder that his wins haven't always been landslides in games won, even when the set and match outcomes have been comfortable.