World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is safely through into the US Open quarter-final. The Spaniard faced Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round and notched a 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in two hours and 12 minutes.
The two rivals embraced their fourth duel at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the younger player provided the fourth victory. As always against Carlos, Arthur fought well and remained in touch.
The Frenchman pushed the Spaniard to the limits in the opening set before losing it in the tie break. The 2022 champion provided two breaks in sets two and three to emerge at the top and remain on the title course.
Carlos took 25 points more than his rival. He dropped only 16 points behind the initial shot and denied two break points in the only challenging service game. Thus, the pressure was on Rinderknech.
The Frenchman played well behind the first serve but struggled on the second. He faced five break points and got broken two times, giving everything but hitting the exit door following a good campaign.
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Alcaraz fired 36 winners and 11 unforced errors, embracing crazy shots and entertaining the crowd. They fought for an hour in the opening set. The servers were too strong, and they reached a tie break following 12 comfortable holds.
Arthur grabbed a mini-break in the third point for a 2-1 lead before Carlos rattled off five points for a 6-2 lead and four set points. The Spaniard seized the second, wrapping up the first part of the duel and gaining confidence.
World no. 2 provided three holds at love in the second set and secured the first break of the match in the sixth game with a fine attack and a smash. Alcaraz played against two break points in the seventh game.
He denied them with fine hitting and held for 5-2. The Spaniard landed a service winner in the ninth game, taking the set 6-3 and opening two sets to love advantage after an hour and 34 minutes.
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Carlos served well in the third set and missed a break chance in the first game. Arthur raised his level and stayed in touch in the next games, leading 4-3 and hoping for another tie break.
Alcaraz delivered a couple ofstunning passing shots in the ninth game and generated three break points. Arthur missed a routine forehand on the second, suffering a break and knocking on the exit door.
Carlos served for the win at 5-4 and sealed the deal with a service winner, moving over the top and reaching the last eight.
