Carlos Alcaraz has stormed into another Grand Slam quarterfinal after his US Open win over Arthur Rinderknech.
Alcaraz needed two hours and 12 minutes to battle past Rinderknech, who he defeated 7-6(7-3), 6-3, 6-4 in round four.
Arthur Ashe Stadium hosted the US Open tie, as it did for all three of Alcaraz’s previous matches at this year’s Grand Slam.
The Spaniard, who is the second seed at the hard-court Grand Slam behind Jannik Sinner, has yet to drop a set thus far.
He wowed the US Open fans in his latest victory, offering Rinderknech very little encouragement despite an impressive performance from the Frenchman.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesMartina Navratilova claims Carlos Alcaraz has a skill nobody else has
Rinderknech had knocked out Roberto Carballes Baena, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Benjamin Bonzi before Alcaraz ended his fine run.
The ATP number two left Martina Navratilova really impressed with his latest display, with the legendary figure saying on Sky Sports Tennis: “We have run out of adjectives and hyperbole but it’s not hyperbole because it’s real.
“The combination that he has of spins, speed and the taking pace off, hitting the lob off the drop shot and he gets it over Rinderknech’s head and perfectly on to the baseline. The touch that he has combined with the power that he has. Nobody has that.”
And when asked if she thinks that can be taught, she replied: “I think you develop that but no matter what you can teach someone the same way that you are teaching Carlos and they just don’t have it. He just has that little bit extra.”
Martina Navratilova says what every player has to do against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz made his US Open debut in 2021, and is now into his fourth quarterfinal from his five appearances at the tournament.
He did, of course, go all the way on one occasion, winning the 2022 title in New York for his maiden Grand Slam title.
Up next this year is 20th seed Jiri Lehecka, who has been told by Navratilova just what it will take to have a chance against Alcaraz and fellow superstar Sinner at this moment in time.
She said: “I think everybody else has to feel they have to play outside of their comfort zone and play the best match of their life to have a chance against them.
“And these guys just play their average tennis that they can raise when they have to on the big points and it’s game over. It’s only against each other that they have to play their best to win, Sinner against Alcaraz.”
That final remark does indeed ring true at Grand Slam level, with the pair combining to win each of the last seven such titles.
Sinner and Alcaraz have also won eight of the last nine, and played out the finals of this year’s French Open and Wimbledon.