Carlos Alcaraz will compete in his 13th Major quarter-final at 22! The Spaniard is through to the last four at the US Open without dropping a set, enjoying his tennis after the opening five rounds and wishing for more.
World no. 2 faced Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-final and ousted a dangerous opponent 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 56 minutes following a flawless performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carlos liked what he produced against the rival who defeated him earlier this year. The Spaniard described his game as nearly perfect and focused on the next challenge. He played with his trademark smile and kept the crowd entertained with spectacular strokes.
The Spaniard produced impressive blend of strong serves, efficient net game and rock-solid groundstrokes. He hit 28 winners and 17 unforced errors, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side.
The Czech struggled to follow that pace despite a decent effort in sets one and three. Lehecka gave away 41% of the points in his games and suffered four breaks from nine chances presented to the favorite.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alcaraz provided a break in the first game of the duel with a crafty drop shot. He missed another break chance in the third game that could have sent him further in front.
Carlos fired a powerful serve for 4-2 and repeated that two games later for a 5-3 advantage. The Spaniard served for the set at 5-4 and held after a deuce with a forced error, wrapping up the first part of the duel after 41 minutes.
The favorite faced no issues in four service games of the second set. Alcaraz secured a break at 15 in the first game with a forced error and landed a service winner in the next one for 2-0.
The 22-year-old held in the fourth game with another strong serve and climbed back from 0-30 in the sixth for a 4-2 lead. Jiri hit a double fault in the seventh game and experienced another break that sent him further behind.
ADVERTISEMENT
Carlos served for the set at 5-2 and landed an ace, forging two sets to love advantage after an hour and 17 minutes. Jiri stayed in touch in the third set and saved a break point in game seven for a 4-3 lead.
The Spaniard closed the eighth game at love and made a push on the return in the next one. He welcomed the rival's forehand mistakes and secured a break that sent him closer to the finish line.
Alcaraz served for the win at 5-4 and cracked a forehand crosscourt winner, holding at love and wrapping up a stellar day at the office.
"I played very well and felt very comfortable, as I have said many times in this tournament. I played almost a perfect match today. There are two steps to make, and we will see what will happen.
ADVERTISEMENT
But yes, I feel very good on the court, and I'm eager to chase the title," Carlos Alcaraz said.
