Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, smoothly advanced to the US Open semifinals on Tuesday by decisively defeating Czech player Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz has yet to lose a set at Flushing Meadows, captivating the audience with 28 winners while not facing a single break point.
Although Lehecka was one of the few players to defeat Alcaraz earlier this season in the Doha quarterfinals, he was outmatched this time, watching helplessly as Alcaraz’s forehand clinched the match point.
Alcaraz will face the winner of the later match between 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic and American fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
The Spaniard broke serve in the first game, aided by Lehecka’s double faults, and thrilled the crowd with a dramatic net exchange in the 10th game, finishing with a backhand winner past the Czech.
The 2022 champion maintained his momentum in the second set, breaking serve at the net in the opening game, while Lehecka showed frustration as he lost another break with a seventh-game double fault.
Alcaraz grinned in disbelief after executing precise shots to set up a break point in the seventh game of the final set, though Lehecka held firm.
Alcaraz celebrated triumphantly after winning a 12-shot rally on break point in the ninth game, delighting fellow Spaniard and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who was watching.
The five-time major winner has only been broken once in the tournament, where he could reclaim the world number-one ranking from Italian Jannik Sinner.
“It’s tough not to think about it,” Alcaraz admitted. “Focusing too much on the top spot could add pressure, which I want to avoid.”
