Alcaraz Powers Through As US Open Rivals Feel The Heat

Carlos Alcaraz secured a spot in the semi-finals of the US Open, where he could potentially face Novak Djokovic in a dream final, after defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets.

The defending champion, Alcaraz, displayed a devastatingly clinical performance, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in 2 hours and 30 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

This victory places the 20-year-old Spaniard firmly on course for another final showdown with 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who will face unseeded American Ben Shelton in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev also secured a place in the semi-finals with a victory over compatriot Andrey Rublev. The match was played under punishing, furnace-like conditions in New York, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).

Medvedev expressed his displeasure with the conditions, noting that players were at risk. He mentioned the difficulty of seeing the ball at times and said, “One player is going to die and they’re going to see.” Despite the challenging conditions, Medvedev emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 48 minutes. Medvedev will now face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals after defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-4. Sabalenka will meet Madison Keys in the last four, setting up another Grand Slam clash after Sabalenka defeated Keys in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in July.

Keys secured her spot in the semi-finals by defeating Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-4. Vondrousova had multiple break point opportunities but couldn’t convert, while Keys capitalized on her chances.

The US Open Tennis Championship saw intense competition amid sweltering heat conditions, with players struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures.

The women’s rankings are also set for a change, as Sabalenka is poised to replace Iga Swiatek as the world’s top player. However, Sabalenka is focused on her performance in the tournament and will consider her new ranking after the US Open.

Additionally, the match experienced a brief interruption in the first game of the opening set due to a spectator requiring medical treatment. Organizers clarified that the incident was not related to the heat.

Source: AP