A defeat that would scan as devastating in any other context was a huge boost to Alcaraz's return from a wrist injury.

The defending champion is sick several times in five-set thriller - the only match at Flushing Meadows ever to finish later than his own 2022 quarter-final against Jannik Sinner

DANIEL MATTHEWS IN NEW YORK: Never in history had a match here finished this late. It was exhausting. It was intoxicating. And for Alcaraz, it was sickening.