Carlos Alcaraz Beats Alexander Zverev And Goes To US Open Semi-Finals

Carlos Alcaraz has been on a remarkable Grand Slam winning streak, triumphing in 24 of his last 25 matches in major tournaments. His latest victory came as he defeated Alexander Zverev, securing his place in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the third consecutive time. In this upcoming semi-final clash, he will face the third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.

In a dominant performance, top-seeded Alcaraz convincingly dispatched Zverev with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, maintaining his bid to defend his US Open title successfully. His impressive run puts him on the cusp of achieving a historic feat, as he aims to become the first man to win back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer’s remarkable five-year reign from 2004 to 2008. Additionally, Alcaraz has etched his name in the annals of Open era history, joining the exclusive ranks of Andre Agassi as the only men to reach the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows three times before turning 21.

Carlos Alcaraz’s 2023 Grand Slam campaign has been nothing short of stellar, boasting a remarkable 17-1 record at major events. His extraordinary Grand Slam winning percentage for the year, standing at an astounding 94.4%, sets a new standard for male players before their 21st birthday in the Open Era.

Zverev, the 12th-seeded German, has demonstrated his resurgence in the sport, particularly during this tournament, following an eight-month absence due to a severe ankle injury sustained during last year’s French Open. In the midst of a sweltering evening, the first set was evenly contested at 3-3 when Alcaraz, not performing at his absolute peak, seized control of the match. He went on to secure six of the next seven games, taking a set and a break lead. Alcaraz, grappling with the humid conditions, even resorted to clapping sawdust onto his hands to improve his grip on the racket.

During a medical time-out taken by Zverev, Alcaraz nonchalantly twirled his racket at the back of the court. Zverev did manage to create two break point opportunities at 2-2 in the third set, but when those chances slipped away, so did his hopes of a comeback. Alcaraz eventually broke Zverev’s serve at 5-4 and served out the victory in a match that lasted two hours and 29 minutes.

Carlos Alcaraz’s next challenge awaits in the form of the 2021 US Open champion, Daniil Medvedev, in the semi-finals, scheduled for Friday. Alcaraz has already displayed his prowess against Medvedev this year, boasting a 2-1 career record with both victories occurring in 2023. The Spaniard secured straight-sets wins in the final at Indian Wells and in the semi-finals at Wimbledon, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with Novak Djokovic, whom he defeated in an epic Wimbledon final in July.

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