US Open 2023: Carlos Alcaraz continues title defence with win over Matteo Arnaldi to reach quarter-finals

Carlos Alcaraz beat Italian Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets to reach the US Open quarter-finals as he continues his title defence.

The top seed won 6-3 6-3 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium in a straightforward outing against the world No.61, who will break into the top 50 after his run at Flushing Meadows.

Alcaraz will next play either sixth seed Jannik Sinner in a rematch of last year’s quarter-final, in which Sinner had a match point before losing in five sets, or former US Open runner-up Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz is bidding to become the first player to defend the US Open men’s title since Roger Federer in 2008.

“The intensity from the start to the last ball, I think I played a really solid match,” Alcaraz said.

“Less mistakes. I played my game. Tried to go to the net all the time. I am really happy with the performance and I am happy to be through.”

The 20-year-old becomes just the second man in the Open Era to reach three US Open quarter-finals under the age of 21 – equalling Andre Agassi’s record set between 1988-1990.

“Right now my favourite surface is hard court and when I won Wimbledon I said I fell in love with grass,” Alcaraz responded when quizzed about his impressive record at Flushing Meadows.

“I am really comfortable with the three surfaces, but right now hard courts is my favourite one.”

Alcaraz made his move in the first set to break world No.61 Arnaldi at the third attempt to move 4-2 ahead in the opener.

The Italian, who was making his US Open debut this year, did well to fend off the first two break points but couldn’t deny the top seed on the third as he powered home a forehand winner.

Alcaraz secured a 32-minute set with a love hold, swooping into the net with a deep volley that lured an Arnaldi backhand into the tramlines.

Arnaldi then dropped his serve from the off in the second set as Alcaraz bolstered his lead and took immediate control.

As Alcaraz threatened to speed ahead, Arnaldi kept within touching distance of the reigning champion with a beautiful forehand winner and a third ace of the contest to close the gap.

But as he did in the first set, Alcaraz fed off the lively Arthur Ashe crowd to go within one set of his third consecutive US Open quarter-final.

What turned out to be the decisive set was far tighter than the two played before.

Arnaldi capped off a clean hold with an ace and then hit a purple patch in the following game, breaking Alcaraz to love with a long forehand.

And then after a thrilling game that saw Arnaldi fight off a couple of break points before squandering a game point, the Italian was undone after shanking a forehand as Alcaraz broke back.

But it was the next break at 5-4 that would prove most important for Alcaraz, who secured the match and his spot in the next round in three minutes shy of two hours.