Carlos Alcaraz demolished Mattia Bellucci to banish memories of last year's shock early exit, while Novak Djokovic shook off a sluggish start to reach the third round on Wednesday and stay on course for a potential semi-final showdown with the Spaniard.
Alcaraz lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round last year and while he made no mistake this time around he admitted that the stunning straight-sets defeat by the Dutchman had left a mark.
Despite the nerves Alcaraz unleashed 32 winners and won 86% of his first serve points in a clinical 96-minute, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 demolition job that sets up a third-round match with another Italian, Luciano Darderi.
"If I'm honest, I thought about last year when I stepped on the court," the 2022 champion said. "Some bad thoughts. I was nervous about it, like thinking, okay, I don't want to do the same thing as I did last year, losing in the second round."
Djokovic's path proved a bit bumpier, the 24-time major winner dropping the opening set before finding his rhythm to beat American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Svajda, who poked fun at his own long odds against the former world number one in a now-viral TikTok video, put up a surprise early fight to the delight of the home fans but was let down by an apparent leg injury midway into the match.
Djokovic next plays Briton Cameron Norrie.
Djokovic's post-match demeanour suggested a man wrestling with his tennis demons rather than celebrating another step toward a potential fifth US Open title.
"I'm not pleased with my level of tennis, but, you know, you have days like this where you're not playing at your best, but you just kind of find a way," Djokovic said.
"I'm just trying to solve the riddle once I'm on the court."
Djokovic, who is seeking to move past Margaret Court and become the all-time leader for Grand Slam singles titles, has won every honour that tennis has to offer, claiming 100 singles titles across his illustrious career.
He completed the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2016 and added an Olympic gold medal to his trophy collection last year.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka's pursuit of her first major silverware of the year continued with a 7-6(4) 6-2 win over Polina Kudermetova.
The defending champion, who has finished runner-up at two slams this year and exited in the semi-finals of the other, will meet 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the next round.
"I know if I'm able to bring my game and fight for every point, I'll have my chances," Sabalenka said.
"All I try to do is focus on myself and bring the best fight possible every time I'm out here playing in front of you all."
Alcaraz marked the win with the same golf swing celebration he produced after his opening round victory over Riley Opelka, where he was watched on by five-time major champion Rory McIlroy.
"It's getting better with the tennis racket this year," Alcaraz said. "I have to say it. Yeah, I did it in the first round because Rory was there, and I think I own it."
Next up for Alcaraz is a third-round clash with Italian Luciano Darderi.
Raducanu cruises past Tjen
Briton Emma Raducanu continued her good form with a brisk 6-2, 6-1 victory over Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen in the first match on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
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Raducanu, who notched her first win at Flushing Meadows since her remarkable run to the title in 2021 earlier this week, was in sparkling form, making just eight unforced errors.
"I'm particularly happy because on the court, I felt like my opponent was playing really good tennis," she said. "So I'm very pleased with how I kept dictating the points, I kept dictating the play."
She faces ninth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the third round.
It was not all good news for British fans though, Jack Draper withdrew due to injury on Wednesday.
Fifth seed Mirra Andreeva barely had to break sweat in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Anastasia Potapova, while 10th seed Emma Navarro swatted aside American compatriot and wildcard Caty McNally 6-2, 6-1.
Norwegian 12th seed and former finalist Casper Ruud was upset by Belgian Raphael Collignon, falling 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini cruised past American hope Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-3 but home favourite Ben Shelton defeated Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on the last match on Armstrong.
Fourth seed Jessica Pegula cruised past Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, setting up a meeting with three-times finalist Victoria Azarenka.
The Belarusian had earlier become only the fifth woman in the professional era to claim 100 or more singles main draw wins at hardcourt majors with her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Pegula's compatriot Taylor Townsend prevailed 7-5, 6-1 against Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko in a bad-tempered match that ended on a sour note.
American fourth seed Taylor Fritz got past South African Lloyd Harris 4-6, 7-6(3,) 6-2, 6-4 in the second match of the day on Armstrong, with Swiss qualifier Jerome Kym waiting for him in the third round.
Fritz is among the top contenders hoping to break a 22-year American men's drought at the tournament, along with Frances Tiafoe, who beat qualifier Martin Damm 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(8), 7-5.
"You've got to be brave, you've got to be courageous - there's no free lunches out here," said Tiafoe, who hopes to go all the way after reaching the semi-final twice before.
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