Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the US Open semi-finals with a commanding 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Czech Jiri Lehecka on Arthur Ashe Stadium, maintaining his flawless record in the tournament without dropping a set. The Spaniard showcased his dominance with 28 winners, never facing a break point, and delivered another performance that had the New York crowd enthralled.
Alcaraz, who will next face either Novak Djokovic or Taylor Fritz, was clinical from the start, breaking in the opening game as Lehecka faltered with double faults. The 2022 champion then thrilled fans with a dazzling backhand winner in a tense net exchange to clinch out the first set. He carried that momentum into the second, breaking immediately before tightening his grip as Lehecka grew visibly frustrated, surrendering another break with a double fault.
Though the Czech, one of the few players to defeat Alcaraz this season in Doha, gave some fight late in the third set, he ultimately succumbed to the Spaniard’s relentless energy. Alcaraz sealed the decisive break with a brilliant 12-shot rally, punctuating it with his trademark golf swing celebration, much to the delight of compatriot Sergio Garcia in the stands.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz said he aimed to project physical freshness and intensity to wear opponents down. “I just played a really - or almost - perfect match,” he said, emphasising his hunger for more success. The five-time Grand Slam champion, broken only once this fortnight, is also in contention to reclaim the world number one spot from Jannik Sinner, though he insists he is keeping the focus on his tennis.
"If you show the opponent you're fresh, you're able to play two, three, more hours, to play long rallies, it's giving him the mindset of this is going to be really tough," said Alcaraz.
"The way that I walk between points, with attitude - I'm fresh, I'm really good physically, I think it's really important to show the opponent that they are going to sweat a lot, and they are going to have to run a lot if he wants to beat me."
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Alcaraz, who will next face either Novak Djokovic or Taylor Fritz, was clinical from the start, breaking in the opening game as Lehecka faltered with double faults. The 2022 champion then thrilled fans with a dazzling backhand winner in a tense net exchange to clinch out the first set. He carried that momentum into the second, breaking immediately before tightening his grip as Lehecka grew visibly frustrated, surrendering another break with a double fault.
Though the Czech, one of the few players to defeat Alcaraz this season in Doha, gave some fight late in the third set, he ultimately succumbed to the Spaniard’s relentless energy. Alcaraz sealed the decisive break with a brilliant 12-shot rally, punctuating it with his trademark golf swing celebration, much to the delight of compatriot Sergio Garcia in the stands.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz said he aimed to project physical freshness and intensity to wear opponents down. “I just played a really - or almost - perfect match,” he said, emphasising his hunger for more success. The five-time Grand Slam champion, broken only once this fortnight, is also in contention to reclaim the world number one spot from Jannik Sinner, though he insists he is keeping the focus on his tennis.
"If you show the opponent you're fresh, you're able to play two, three, more hours, to play long rallies, it's giving him the mindset of this is going to be really tough," said Alcaraz.
"The way that I walk between points, with attitude - I'm fresh, I'm really good physically, I think it's really important to show the opponent that they are going to sweat a lot, and they are going to have to run a lot if he wants to beat me."
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