Carlos Alcaraz dominated Alexander Zverev at the US Open in New York late on Wednesday evening, winning his quarterfinal 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to a semifinal showdown with Russian Daniil Medvedev on Friday.
While the German couldn’t break through Alcaraz, still only 20, marched on, taking every opportunity his opponent offered up to take out the match.
“Of course I am playing for myself, playing for my team,” Alcaraz said afterwards.
“I try to make the people enjoy watching tennis, watching the matches.
“I’ve been trying to do different shots that probably the crowd are not used to seeing in the matches. That’s what I’m trying — to put a show on.”
It was certainly a show of strength as the young Spaniard converted all four of his break-point chances in a one-sided match that lasted a little under two and a half hours.
Zverev had his chances, the first in the seventh game of the first set at break point, but Alcaraz steadied and blistering backhand turned it around as he took out the set.
Alcaraz held service in the second and jumped to a 2-1 lead before a Zverev double fault damaged the Germans chances.
And Zverev had a chance in the third set but the Spaniard proved too good again.
As for Medvedev is the semis?
Most think Alcaraz will see off that challenge and meet Djokovic on Sunday.
“I think they are at a level of their own at the moment,” Zverev said.
