Although Carlos Alcaraz wasn’t perfect in his victory in the third round of the United States Open, the defending champion did what was necessary on Saturday, in addition to frustrating Dan Evans to the point where he launched his racket a few times.
Less than 12 hours after Novak Djokovic, the opponent Alcaraz would face in the final next weekend according to predictions, erased a two-set deficit before winning, the Spaniard has reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the third year in a row. He beat 26th-seeded Evans 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Alcaraz, world No. 1, demonstrated his versatility by hitting different spectacular shots.
“We play to make people happy, or at least entertain them. It’s good when the show is good,” said Alcaraz, who won his second Grand Slam title in July by beating Djokovic in the final at Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old Spaniard is seeking to become the first man to win a second straight title in New York since Roger Federer’s five straight triumphs from 2004 to 2008.
“I would like to be part of the history of the tournament like Roger [Federer], said Alcaraz. It’s my aim. »
In the fourth round, Alcaraz will face Matteo Arnaldi, a 22-year-old Italian who is ranked 61st in the world. Arnaldi, who had won just one Grand Slam match before arriving in New York, reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
In other games early Saturday, Britain’s Jack Draper, 123rd in the world, also reached the round of 16 with a 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over American guest Michael Mmoh.
On the women’s side, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka continued her run with a crushing 6-1, 6-1 win over France’s Clara Burel. Sabalenka could snatch No. 1 in the world from Iga Swiatek depending on their results in New York.
Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open in January, has lost just 12 games in three matches so far at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre.
In the next round, Sabalenka will face No. 13 Daria Kasatkina, who defeated Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4.
American Madison Keys, No. 17 and a 2017 runner-up at Flushing Meadows, defeated No. 14 Liudmila Samsonova, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. She will now play against the winner of the duel between Jessica Pegula, No. 3, and Elina Svitolina, No. 26.
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2023-09-02 20:26:36
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