Alcaraz dominated Czech participant Jiri Lehecka within the quarters, with the Spaniard but to lose a set at this yr’s occasion.
Printed On 3 Sep 2025
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz has but to drop a set at Flushing Meadows, and cruised into the US Open semifinals, demolishing Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz had the group within the palm of his hand on Tuesday as he fired off 28 winners and by no means confronted a break level, placing on yet one more nearly pristine efficiency. He’ll subsequent play both 24-time main winner Novak Djokovic or American fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Lehecka is among the few gamers to beat Alcaraz this season, successful within the Doha quarterfinals, however was outclassed this time round and will solely watch helplessly because the Spaniard’s forehand winner zipped by on match level.
“When you present the opponent you’re recent, you’re in a position to play two, three, extra hours, to play lengthy rallies, it’s giving him the mindset of, that is going to be actually robust,” stated Alcaraz.
“The best way that I stroll between factors, with perspective – I’m recent, I’m actually good bodily. I believe it’s actually vital to point out the opponent that they will sweat quite a bit, and they’re going to must run quite a bit if he desires to beat me.”
Alcaraz broke within the first sport, helped on his means by a pair of Lehecka double faults, and the Spaniard acquired the group going as he triumphed in an exhilarating, cat-and-mouse change on the internet within the tenth sport, sending a backhand winner streaking previous the Czech.
The 2022 champion saved the momentum going within the second set, changing a break level on the internet within the first sport, and Lehecka grew to become visibly agitated as he went down one other break with a double fault within the seventh sport.
Alcaraz smiled in disbelief as he nailed a collection of exact photographs to arrange a break level within the seventh sport of the ultimate set, however Lehecka dug in to carry.
Alcaraz let loose a triumphant cheer as he prevailed in a 12-shot rally on break level within the ninth sport and deployed his golf swing celebration to the delight of fellow Spaniard and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who was in attendance.
“I simply performed a very – or nearly – excellent match,” he stated. “I’m simply feeling nice and hungry to make it.”
The five-time main winner has solely been damaged as soon as to this point within the event and will retake the primary world rating from Italy’s Jannik Sinner, though he’s making an attempt not to consider it.
“If I take into consideration the primary spot an excessive amount of, then I’m going to place strain on myself, and I don’t need to try this,” he stated.
