US Open: Alcaraz and Pegula Charge into Quarterfinals with Conviction
Carlos Alcaraz and Jessica Pegula have both advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open, showcasing their resilience and determination on the grand stage of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Spanish second seed Alcaraz, the reigning champion, continued his impressive form by defeating France’s Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets. The 22-year-old, a five-time Grand Slam winner, faced a challenging first set but ultimately secured the match with a score of 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-4. “I think my style of tennis suits pretty well the energy here in New York,” Alcaraz commented, reflecting on the vibrant atmosphere. He has yet to drop a set in the tournament and is now on a collision course for a potential semifinal showdown against tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who is vying for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz’s next opponent will be Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka, who reached the quarterfinals for only the second time in his career by overcoming veteran Adrian Mannarino with a score of 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. “I’m a bit speechless because it’s been a hell of a match,” Lehecka said, reveling in his success and looking to break into the top 20 of the ATP rankings.
On the women’s side, fourth seed Pegula surprised herself by extending her campaign into the second week of the tournament. After a series of early exits leading up to the US Open, the 31-year-old American defeated compatriot Ann Li convincingly, winning 6-1, 6-2 in just 54 minutes. Pegula attributed her newfound confidence to a pre-tournament outing with friends that helped her relax and shift her mindset. “I felt terrible coming into this tournament, honestly,” she admitted, highlighting her transformation from frustration to focus.
Pegula will face either fellow American Taylor Townsend or Czech unseeded player Barbora Krejcikova in the quarterfinals. If the tournament progresses according to seedings, Pegula could face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of last year’s final, should Sabalenka advance past unseeded Cristina Bucsa.
