TNT Sports
US Open 2023: Carlos Alcaraz sets sights on emulating Roger Federer after win over Dan Evans, Daniil Medvedev through
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Published 02/09/2023 at 22:03 GMT+1
Dan Evans tried to match Carlos Alcaraz’s flair, but the world No. 1 was too hot for the Brit to handle as he ran out a 6-2 6-3 4-6 6-3 winner at the US Open in New York. The win confirms Alcaraz’s spot in the fourth round as he seeks back-to-back titles after winning the tournament last year. The status as defending champion has not fazed the Spaniard thus far.
Highlights: Alcaraz fights off Evans to progress, Arnaldi upsets Norrie
Video credit: SNTV
Carlos Alcaraz moved into the US Open fourth round after overcoming a determined Dan Evans, winning 6-2 6-3 4-6 6-3 in New York on Saturday.
The world No. 1 made light work of the 26th seed early on for a two-set lead before Evans fought back as Alcaraz conceded his first set of the tournament in the third set.
But the top seed’s quality was too much for the Brit to handle in the fourth set, with Alcaraz going 3-2 ahead and then breaking with a contender for the shot of the tournament - a miraculous forehand winner on the run.
From there, Alcaraz was able to close the match out to continue his title bid.
“He’s a tricky opponent,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really, really happy to get through.
“We played some great points that made us smile, Dan as well, so it’s great to see that on a tennis court.
“Obviously we play to make the people happy and entertain them, and try to make the match funny. It’s great to have that, and feel the energy that they [the crowd] enjoy that as well.”
Alcaraz could become the first player to retain the US Open since Roger Federer, who won the tournament every year from 2004 to 2008.
“I watched the draw and saw the opponents that I could play against,” Alcaraz explained. “But I’m focussed day by day, and obviously to defend the title here is a goal for me.
“I'm looking for that, and know nobody has done it here since Federer, so I would love to be part of the tournament history with Roger defending the title, this is my main goal.”
Up next for Alcaraz is Matteo Arnaldi, who upset Cameron Norrie in the third round.
As for his third-round victory, Evans could hardly get near him at the beginning of the match as the 20-year-old earned a double-break in the opening set to take a 4-0 lead.
The Brit held in his third service game to get on the board, but by that stage, the set was already firmly in Alcaraz’s control.
Although he conceded the opener, Evans made Alcaraz work harder towards the end of the set which would be a sign of things to come after a slow start out of the blocks from the 33-year-old.
Evans started the second set brilliantly, holding his opening serve before breaking the reigning champion for a two-game lead.
But Alcaraz did what champions do - hit back instantly with a double break to regain control.
After a bit of back and forth between the pair, Alcaraz wrapped up a simple second set as he looked to be heading for a speedy victory.
However, Evans managed to clinch the third set - the first player to manage this against Alcaraz in New York this year.
At 3-3, Evans threw his racquet in anger when he missed his first break point, frustrated that he may have squandered his one and only chance to get back into the match, but he was able to land a second break point in a big turning point in the set.
With help from the American crowd, Evans was spurred on to win the third set and set up a fourth.
After some spirited tennis from the Brit, Alcaraz got the decisive break to go 4-2 ahead in set four as he edged towards victory, which he saw out with composure to conclude a fantastic match.
Andrey Rublev joined Alcaraz in the fourth round with a 3-6 6-3 6-1 7-5 win against Arthur Rinderknech - the third Frenchman he’s beaten at the tournament this year.
The eighth seed had to work for it, coming from a set behind to down Rinderknech in their first meeting.
“I hadn’t played Arthur before, we hadn’t even practised, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Rublev said. “I knew he had a huge serve and a really amazing forehand and he goes for the shots, so I knew it was going to be a really tough match and I was happy that I could turn it around and win the match.”
Rublev will play Jack Draper in his next match, with the Brit set to feature in the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Jannik Sinner is also through after battling to a four-set win over 38-year-old Stan Wawrinka.
The Italian won 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2 to set up a fourth-round tie with 12th seed Alexander Zverev.
Zverev won through to their fourth round meeting with a 6-7(2) 7-6(8) 6-1 6-1 victory over Grigor Dimitrov in nearly four hours on court.
In a long, tough battle it was Zverev who emerged victorious thanks in part to a nearly 2:1 ratio of winners to unforced errors (43 to 27).
That victory makes it four consecutive trips to the last 16 at the US Open for the German, who extends his career record against Dimitrov to a robust six wins and one defeat.
After his victory, Zverev admitted that it had been a physical battle but insisted that it is mental strength that makes the difference at this level.
He said: "Sometimes it’s about who’s mentally tougher. There’s a certain Novak Djokovic and a certain Rafa Nadal who have been doing it for the past 20 years. That’s why they won 23 and 22 Grand Slams. I’m just trying to learn from them.”
Elsewhere on Saturday night, Daniil Medvedev put an end to Sebastian Baez's impressive 12-match winning streak inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. He beat the Argentinian 6-2 6-1 7-6(6), emerging with the win at 01:30 local time.
It was a physical mismatch with the giant Medvedev overpowering the diminutive Baez but the Argentinian also squandered the chances that came his way. Of 12 break points, Baez converted just two while Medvedev took six of nine.
Afterwards, Medvedev was satisfied with his performance.
He explained: "I felt like we were both playing well, even in the first two sets. I was just a little better on important points, everything was going my way.
"Third set he raised his level just a little bit to make the match even tougher. A bit of luck and some good play from me kept me in the set and it's good to not finish at 04:00.”
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