Alcaraz returns to US Open quarter-finals with entertaining win over Arnaldi

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, moved into the last eight of the US Open by beating Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a highly entertaining match on Monday afternoon.

In what was only Arnaldi’s third appearance in a Grand Slam main draw, the Italian gave an excellent account of himself, breaking Alcaraz’s serve on the one occasion he was given a break point, and going toe-to-toe with the Spaniard in several breath-taking rallies.

However, it was the world No 1 who prevailed in straight sets, and will take on the winner of the match between German Alexander Zverev, the No 12 seed, and Italian Jannik Sinner, the No 6 seed, next.

Alcaraz executes his desired style of play

When asked after the victory what his key takeaways from the match were, Carlos Alcaraz responded:

“I think the intensity from the beginning until the last ball. I played a very solid match, less mistakes, try to go to the net all the time.”

The top seed was imperious at the net, approaching 37 times and winning 27 points. He did this behind an excellent first serve, making the shot 66 percent of the time and winning 78 percent of rallies behind it. In fact, it wasn’t until the third set that Alcaraz even offered Arnaldi a look at a break point on his serve, that’s how dominant the Spaniard’s serving was today.

Given the high level of play Alcaraz generated at the US Open today, one would be forgiven for thinking hard courts are the 20-year-old’s best surface.

“When I won Wimbledon, I fell in love with the grass,” the US Open quarter-finalist explained on-court following his win. “But I say that right now, my favourite surface is the hard court.”

Top seed looks ahead to quarter-finals

With the world No 1 playing brilliant tennis and having fun while doing it, the winner of Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner will have a tough task on their hands.

“Sascha’s playing well, and Jannik too,” Alcaraz reflected ahead of his quarter-final “It’s going to be a really tough match between them. I’m going to watch it for sure.”

“Whoever I’m going to play, it’s going to be a tough quarterfinal.”

A tough quarter-final for who, only time will tell.

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“When I saw the draw, my goal was to play against him” – Alcaraz’s next opponent, Matteo Arnaldi

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“Sinner and Djokovic are the only ones who can challenge Alcaraz at the US Open” – Goran Ivanisevic

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In the previous rounds of the Flushing Meadows tournament, the 20-year-old Spaniard won against German Dominik Koepfer (6-2, 3-2 ret.), South African Lloyd Harris (6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4)) and No 26 seed Daniel Evans (6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3). Arnaldi, ranked No 61, won against Australian Jason Kubler (6-3, 1-0 ret.), Frenchman Arthur Fils (3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-4) and No 16 seed Cameron Norrie (6-3, 6-4, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.

New York (Grand Slam), other last 16 results (USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hard, USD 44.700.000, most recent results first):

• Alexander Zverev vs. Jannik Sinner
• Daniil Medvedev vs. Alex De Minaur
• Jack Draper vs. Andrey Rublev: monday
• Novak Djokovic (2) beat Borna Gojo (Q): 6-2, 7-5, 6-4
• Taylor Fritz (9) beat Dominic Stricker (Q): 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4
• Frances Tiafoe (10) beat Rinky Hijikata (WC): 6-4, 6-1, 6-4
• Ben Shelton beat Tommy Paul (14): 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4