Alcaraz semifinalist at US Open after sensational thriller

Never before had tennis been played so late at the US Open in New York. It was nearly three in the morning when Carlos Alcaraz had defeated Jannik Sinner in five thrilling sets: 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3.

The fight lasted about 5.5 hours, which took a sudden turn twice. Sinner also got a match point on his own serve in the fourth set.

Although both players continued to trade improbable balls until the last game, the 19-year-old Alcaraz ultimately proved to be the slightly more fit of the two. If he has some energy left for the semifinal against Frances Tiafoe, he could virtually become the new world number one.

Initially it still looked like Alcaraz would just win. He won the first set and then got five set points in the second act. However, the Italian did not give up easily.

The breakneck pace suited the 21-year-old Sinner well. Where Alcaraz sometimes wanted to force too much, the Italian, two years older, remained calm. However, he failed to capitalize on an excellent opportunity when he came within a whisker of winning 5-4 and 40-30 in the fourth set.

Sinner seemed to get back up after that mental blow in the deciding set and quickly set up a break, but Alcaraz hit back even stronger with his last strength. To a standing ovation, Alcaraz went down after the winning point, completely exhausted from a memorable performance.

So now Tiafoe is waiting for the Spanish sensation. Rafael Nadal’s winner gave his stunt a good follow up by reaching his first ever semifinal at a Grand Slam tournament.

The 24-year-old American number 26 in the world won in the quarterfinals 7-6(3), 7-6(0), 6-4 against Andrey Rublev. The Russian was in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the sixth time, but this time it was also the final destination.

Tiafoe is the first black American to reach the last four of the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and the first American to reach them since losing to finalist Andy Roddick in 2006.

The two hard hitters had a great fight in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Tiafoe brought more variation to his game, was found at the net more often and served very well.

After a sublime second tiebreak (7-0), he placed the only break of the match at 3-3 in the third set.