Carlos Alcaraz advances to US Open semifinals after victory
- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka to secure a place in the U.S. Open semifinals.
- Jessica Pegula also advanced by defeating Barbora Krejcikova, marking her second semifinal appearance at a major.
- Both players are now aiming for significant achievements in their respective tournaments.
In the U.S. Open, Carlos Alcaraz showed remarkable skill and confidence, defeating Jiri Lehecka with scores of 6-4, 6-2, and 6-4, securing his spot in the semifinals. This match marked his first hard-court semifinal appearance at a major tournament since he won his first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in 2023. At just 22 years old, Alcaraz has reached the semifinals at a Grand Slam nine times, showcasing his consistent performance on the court. Following this victory, Alcaraz aims to improve his ranking by winning the tournament against either Taylor Fritz or Novak Djokovic, both formidable opponents. He expressed the difficulty of focusing on the top ranking, stating that he would prefer not to put pressure on himself while pursuing his goals. Alcaraz also shared his plans to play golf on his rest day alongside Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, indicating that he values maintaining a balanced routine. On the women's side, Jessica Pegula also reached the semifinals after defeating Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3. This victory marked an important milestone for Pegula, as it was only her second semifinal appearance in a Grand Slam tournament. She has improved significantly, after experiencing difficulties in her earlier major tournaments. Pegula's performance reflects her growth in the sport, aiming for her first Grand Slam title, and she is currently one of the only two Americans left in the women's singles field in the tournament.