By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, September 2, 2025Photo credit score: Jed Jacobsohn/ROLEZ
NEW YORK—Creativity involves court docket when Carlos Alcaraz is in full flight on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Bending the ball into obscure areas of the court docket, Alcaraz painted Jiri Lehecka proper out of the true blue onerous court docket
Lighting up Ashe Stadium with imaginative shot-making, Alcaraz sustained his imposing Flushing Meadows run with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 triumph in the present day.
It’s Alcaraz’s eleventh consecutive victory sending him into his eighth straight semifinal as he soars to inside a win of a 3rd consecutive Grand Slam ultimate—and regaining the world No. 1 rating from rival Jannik Sinner.
“It’s troublesome not to consider it, however each time I step on court docket I’m making an attempt not to consider it,” mentioned Alcaraz after incomes his thirty fifth win in his final 36 matches. “If I take into consideration No. 1 spot an excessive amount of I’m gonna put an excessive amount of strain on myself.
“I simply wish to step on court docket, attempt to do my issues, observe my objectives within the match and attempt to get pleasure from my objectives within the match. No. 1 is there however I’m making an attempt to not assume an excessive amount of about it.”
The 22-year-old Spaniard continues rising to uncommon air occupied by iconic champions. Alcaraz is the fifth man in Open Period historical past to achieve 9 Grand Slam semifinals earlier than the age of 23, becoming a member of legends Boris Becker, Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander in attaining that superior feat.
Alcaraz will carry an ATP-best 59-6 report into the semifinals the place he’ll face both Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic, in a rematch of final yr’s Olympic gold-medal match, or fourth-seeded American Taylor Fritz. It’s 15 units up and 15 units down for Alcaraz in New York, performing like a person on a mission.
At present’s opening quarterfinal was a rematch of the Queen’s Membership ultimate in June, which Alcaraz gained 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2.
Asserting his all-court acumen, Alcaraz by no means trailed in the present day.
A collection of speedy reflex volleys by Alcaraz elicited admiring gasps from the Arthur Ashe Stadium devoted. Then the Spaniard scalded the middle stripe with an ace holding for 3-1.
Persevering with a commanding serve begin, Alcaraz zapped his second ace stretching his result in 4-2.
On his third set level, Alcaraz closed out the opening set after 41 minutes. Alcaraz gained 21 of 27 factors performed on his serve within the set and by no means trailed.
Grand Slam tennis is all about firsts. Win the primary level, your probabilities tremendously enhance profitable the sport. Earn the primary break and also you’re extra more likely to win the set.
Alcaraz obtained off first for the second set in a row exploiting three unforced errors from Lehecka to earn the opening-game break. Alcaraz backed up the break for a 6-4, 2-0 lead after 50 minutes.
Examined at love-30 within the sixth recreation, Alcaraz pulled off the complete Stefan Edberg-style stretch angled backhand volley winner inciting explosive roar from followers. That magical flick helped Alcaraz maintain for 4-2.
Inciting followers and galvanizing himself, Alcaraz rifled a forehand winner down the road for a 15-30 lead. When Lehecka dedicated his fourth double fault, Alcaraz seized the double break for 5-2.
Suffocating the Czech’s serve all through the third set, Alcaraz jerked Lehecka side-to-side finally drawing a wild forehand lengthy to interrupt for 5-4 with a shout.
The person within the pink sleeveless shirt, conjured colourful magic with a sliding, sharp-angled backhand drop volley that helped him earn triple match level.
Blowing on his hand earlier than serving, Alcaraz flashed one ultimate diagonal forehand firing by a one hour, 55-minute triumph—and transferring to inside one win of a 3rd straight Grand Slam ultimate.
