Dan Evans plans to fight fire with fire when he faces the reigning champion and current world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.

THE British The number two is through to the third round at Flushing Meadows for the sixth time in his career after a four-set victory over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

His “reward” is a match against Spaniard Alcaraz, 20, who won his first Grand Slam title in New York last year and added the Wimbledon crown earlier this summer.

Evans, seeded 26, said: “It’s a bit boring to have him in the top eight in the draw, but it is what it is.

“It will be a good match. I’m really looking forward to it and I’ll play aggressively.

“It’s a very difficult draw. He will obviously be the big favorite but it’s a good opportunity to face a very good tennis player on a big stage. This is why you play tennis.

Alcaraz won his previous two meetings in straight sets, but Evans has a better record on the golf course after the two played a few holes at Wimbledon.

“Of course, his golf is a lot better than mine, that’s for sure,” Alcaraz said. “We played a bit before Wimbledon. We had a great time during the course.

Katie Boulter reached the third round of an overseas grand slam for the first time and is on the verge of breaking into the world’s top 50.

The 27-year-old from Leicester takes on youngster Peyton Stearns American to whom she lost in three tie-breaks in a marathon match in Austin, Texas, in February.

“I actually probably played the longest match of my career against her in Austin this year,” she said. “It was 7-6 in the third, five in the tiebreak loss. It was a brutal match. Three hours and 25 minutes.

“I’m waiting a lot. I mean, he’s a real talent. She’s a great player. The courts suit him a lot here.

“Again, I know it’s going to be physical and I’m going to have to be ready and play my best tennis to beat her.”

British number one Cameron Norrie has what appears to be another winning draw against Italian world number 61 Matteo Arnaldi.

But if he succeeds, the 28-year-old will come up against Alcaraz – or Evans – in the fourth round.

Jack Draper, who brilliantly represented 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday, faces American Michael Mmoh.