Carlos Alcaraz continued to excel in the defence of his US Open title as the top seed advanced to the fourth round of the US Open 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 over Dan Evans on Saturday.
The Spanish top seed has said he wants to be the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to defend the title at Flushing Meadows.
“I would love to be part of tournament history along with Roger – that is my main goal right now,” the 20-year-old world No.1 said after overcoming Evans in three and a quarter hours.
“I’m watching my draw but focusing on day-to-day matches. To defend here is a goal for me – I’m looking for that.”
Alcaraz will play in the Open quarters for a third straight year. He holds 6 titles with a 56-6 record in 2023.
The loss was the third for recent Washington tournament champion Evans against Alcaraz.
“He’s a tricky opponent who goes to the net a lot,” Alcaraz said of the 28th-ranked Briton. “His style suits my game well.”
Alcaraz called his victory “a pretty good match. We had great shots and a lot of variety.
“I’m happy to get through and play a fourth round at the Open.”
Alcaraz, who lost a set to Evans for the first time in three meetings, will bid for the quarter-finals in a Monday match against Italian surprise packet Matteo Arnaldi after the No. 61 put out British hope Cam Norrie 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
Emerging young gun Jack Draper provided the only relief for Britain on the day with his 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, win over Michael Mmoh to reach the second week of a major for the first time.
The 21-year-old lefthander who has been plagued by shoulder problems, upset 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round.
Draper, son of a former British national tennis boss, missed nearly three months with his shoulder problem after retiring from a match at Roland Garros.
He finished off victory with 51 winners and will rise in the rankings to within striking distance of the Top 100.
“I was proud of the way I went out there,” Draper said. “I don’t think I played my best tennis necessarily, but I guess that’s what tennis is about – trying to get over the line when you’re not quite at your best.
“He made it really difficult for me. He came out firing in the third set, and luckily I took my chance in the fourth. I’m glad for the win.”
The Brit next takes on eighth seed Andrey Rublev, who accounted for his third French opponent this week by beating Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.
“I hadn’t played him before so I didn’t know what to expect,” the winner said.
“I knew he had a huge serve and a really amazing forehand and he goes for the shots; I knew it was going to be a really tough match.
“I was happy to turn it (after losing the first set) around and win the match.”
Rinderknech made Rublev work for the win, saving three match points before losing
Rublev now stands 43-17 on the season and will be looking for his fourth Open quarter-final.
Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner outlasted former titleholder Stan Wawrinka, defeating the veteran Swiss 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a three-hour battle.
After denying the 38-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner a ninth Top 10 win at Flushing Meadows, Sinner reached his 10th career fourth round after playing 16 majors.
Sinner lost to Wawrinka in his Grand Slam debut here in 2019, but turned the tables with a three-hour victory which improves his record to 4-2 over the Swiss.
“Obviously in four years a couple of things have changed, but I’m happy about my performance today,” Sinner said.
“I wasn’t playing at my best, and he wasn’t at his best, but in key moments I handled it in a better way than him and I’m happy to be in the next round.”
Main photo:-US Open New York Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) all smiles as he wins third round match by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
