NEW YORK – Carlos Alcaraz shook the gang together with his fingers, hit Giri Lehecca netting, and made the semi-finals on the US Open.
The second seeded Spaniard beat Lehecca 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in Tuesday’s quarter-finals, making a shot of spotlight reels earlier than earing his palms and spurring extra cheers from the Arthur Ashe Stadium followers. It’s his first look within the majors since profitable his first Grand Slam title on the US Open in 2023.
“I met Carlos’ Grand Slam model,” Lehecca mentioned. “He actually confirmed that he was one of many candidates. Everybody knew that, and he proved it.”
Alcaraz is simply 22 years previous and has competed within the semi-finals in his ninth main. Within the open period, solely Rafael Nadal and Boris Becker had been 23 years previous (10 every) greater than they had been (10 every).
Alcaraz is the one participant on the boys’ aspect who has not but dropped the set. He’s the youngest man to achieve the Closing 4 on the US Open for the reason that 21-year-old Jim Courier in 1991 with out surrendering the set.
After Alkaraz, both Taylor Fritz or Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz shall be changed by Janik Thinner, who misplaced within the Wimbledon Finals and misplaced within the French Open Finals.
“It is actually exhausting not to consider that,” Alcaraz mentioned. “Each time I step onto the court docket, I attempt to keep away from desirous about it. If I feel I am pondering an excessive amount of in regards to the primary spot, I’ll put stress on myself. I simply do not wish to try this. I wish to step into court docket, attempt to comply with my objectives within the match and have enjoyable as a lot as doable.
Earlier than dealing with Fritz or Djokovic on Friday night time, Alcaraz is scheduled to play golf on Wednesday at 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia. He believes his fellow countrymen owes him a number of strokes.
“He has to offer me not less than 10-15 photographs,” Alkaraz mentioned. “That is nice. I am not that good, Sergio, come on.”
His serving, however, was nearly excellent. Alcaraz has earned serves in 68 of the event’s 69 service video games, incomes 34 consecutive holds. His dropped service sport is the least in male open semi-finalists since Nadal, who didn’t drop a serve as soon as in direction of the 2013 semi-finals.
Alcaraz has been on a relentless run for the reason that begin of the Rome Masters Event in Might, incomes 35 of the final 36 matches on the tour.
Lehecka had been bidding to grow to be the primary Czech to make a serious semi-final since Tomas Berdych in 2017. He’s assured to debut in ATP’s Prime 20 when the brand new rankings are launched on Monday.
ESPN analysis and Related Press contributed to this report.
