Carlos Alcaraz ready for 'great battle' against Daniil Medvedev after beating Alexander Zverev at US Open
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Updated 07/09/2023 at 10:01 GMT+1
World tennis No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed a straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the 2023 US Open at Flushing Meadows, setting up a semi-final against world No. 3 Daniil Medvedev. Speaking after the win, the Spaniard said he was ready for a "great battle" against the Russian, who defeated Andrey Rublev amid searing heat in New York.
Zverev tells Alcaraz 'go win it' after defeat, Keys also through to semis
Video credit: SNTV
Carlos Alcaraz is just two matches away from defending his US Open title after defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-2 6-4 in their quarter-final.
The powerful duo went at it in New York on Wednesday night as the 20-year-old Spaniard outclassed the world No. 12.
Alcaraz, who also has the Wimbledon title to his name, has only dropped one set all tournament as he continues to demonstrate his potential to be one of the finest players of the modern era.
Should he beat Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals, he could conclude the tournament battling it out for the trophy with Novak Djokovic once more.
Asked about the prospect of another Djokovic showdown, he said: "It’s closer than at the beginning of the tournament.
"We’re just one match from that potential final. It could be great... but both of us have really tough semi-finals. So let’s see. Obviously, both of us are looking for that potential final."
Zverev had two chances to break at 3-3 in the first set but couldn't convert and lost his own serve the next game.
He then took a medical timeout after the second set and revealed afterwards he was hampered by an injury.
"The second set I felt something in my hamstring glute, left side," he said.
"I couldn't push off on my serve anymore. My serve speed was down quite a lot compared to the other days. Against him especially I needed a good serving day otherwise it would have been difficult.
"I think my biggest weapon was kind of taken away after the first set, and yeah, it's difficult to even compete if you don't have that."
Zverev had few answers to Alcaraz's blistering returns and groundstrokes – perhaps feeling the effects of his marathon win over Jannik Sinner in the fourth round.
Alcaraz saved all five break points he faced while converting all four chances on his opponent's serve.
"I’m very, very comfortable playing in this court, playing here in New York. I am showing my best level here," Alcaraz said.
"Last year was very tough, since the fourth round I played five sets [to get to the final].
"Here I’ve played just one match that has gone to four sets. I feel great physically and I’m ready to play a great battle with Medvedev in the semi-finals."
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head record 2-1 against Medvedev and has won both their meetings this year in straight sets.
“Last matches that I played against Daniil I played a tactical game played perfectly,” said Alcaraz.
“I did pretty well all the things that I had to do against him, so I think my game suits pretty well against that type of opponent like Daniil.
“So I’m going to try to do the same things that I did, for example, in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon, and hopefully to get the win and play the same level that I played in that matches.”
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