Eyes on bigger prize

NEW YORK (AFP) — Carlos Alcaraz powered into the US Open semifinals to set up a potential showdown with Novak Djokovic on Tuesday as reigning women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka was handed a walkover into the Last Four.

Alcaraz needed just one hour and 56 minutes to seal a convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

The Spanish second seed could now face a blockbuster semi-final against 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who takes on American fourth seed Taylor Fritz in the other quarterfinal duel.

Alcaraz could reclaim the world No. 1ranking with a victorious campaign in New York, a fact he is trying not to dwell on.

“Every time I step onto the court I try not to think about it,” he said.

“If I think about the No. 1 spot too much I think I’m going to put pressure on myself and I don’t want to do that.”

Alcaraz has not dropped a set during a relentless march into the semifinals and was once again in complete control against Lehecka.

The 22-year-old — who won the first of his five Grand Slam singles title at Flushing Meadows in 2022 — broke Lehecka in the opening game before wrapping up the first set with ease.

Alcaraz, efficient on his own serve in the first set, then raced away with the second set, breaking Lehecka to take a 5-2 lead before holding to take a 2-0 advantage.

The third set went with serve until the ninth game, when Lehecka smacked a straightforward forehand long at 30-40 down and was broken for the fourth time in the match.

That left Alcaraz serving for the match, and he duly held to love, sealing his win with a scorching forehand into the corner.

In the women’s draw on Tuesday, world No. 1 and defending champion Sabalenka moved into the semifinals without needing to set foot on court after Czech quarterfinal opponent Marketa Vondrousova pulled out with an injury.

Sabalenka, bidding to become the first woman to successfully defend the US Open since Serena Williams completed a hat-trick of titles in 2014, extended sympathy to Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion.

“So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her,” said Sabalenka, who has now reached the US Open semifinals or better for five tournaments in a row.

Vondrousova’s withdrawal sets up a repeat of last year’s US Open final in the last four, with Sabalenka facing American fourth seed Jessica Pegula on Thursday.

Pegula reached the semifinals earlier on Tuesday after a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of unseeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova.

Pegula entered the US Open on the back of a dismal run of form that had seen her make early exits at WTA tournaments in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati.

But she has rediscovered her confidence while moving stealthily through the rounds at New York, albeit against a series of unseeded opponents.