US Open: Carlos Alcaraz expects ‘actually, actually powerful’ semi-final in opposition to dwelling favorite Frances Tiafoe

Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz had the backing of the New York crowd as he placed on a spectacle in opposition to Jannik Sinner within the marathon males’s singles quarter-final at US Open 2022 on Wednesday, September 7. The 19-year-old had the New York crowd roaring in delight and astonishment as he hit some unbelievable winners, together with a behind-the-back backhand move.

Alcaraz saved a match level as he battled again from 1-2 right down to outlast Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 6-7 (0-7), 7-5, 6-3 because the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd witnessed high-quality motion in a 5-hour-and-15-minute match, the 2nd longest within the historical past of the US Open.

However, when Carlos Alcaraz steps on the sector for the semi-final, he may not be the extra standard of the 2 semi-finalists as he shall be up in opposition to native favorite Frances Tiafoe. Alcaraz conceded that the semi-final in opposition to the American will not be going to be a simple ask, contemplating the shape that Tiafoe has displayed.

Tiafoe was touted as the subsequent large factor in American tennis and the 24-year-old appears to be lastly displaying indicators of dwelling as much as the hype. He knocked out 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in a 4-setter earlier than ousting ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight units within the quarter-final.

Tiafoe defeated Alcaraz of their solely assembly in 2021 — a straight-set win on clay in Barcelona.

“It’s going to be really, really tough. Frances, everybody know the level of Frances. He has beaten Rafa Nadal, Rublev in three sets. He’s playing unbelievable right now. High confidence. He loves the crowd. He loves this court. I’m going to have to put my best,” Alcaraz advised the press on Thursday.

“But right now I’m thinking about this match. I’m enjoying this moment. I have a day of rest to think about the semi-final. But right now I’m going to enjoy myself with my team, my family, and that’s all.”

The level of the event delivered to you by @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/ylewLwrqxu

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2022

‘AMAZING NEW YORK CROWD’

Alcaraz turned the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and the youngest to achieve the US Open last-four since Pete Sampras in 1990.

Alcaraz was threatening to go the gap at Grand Slams since his outstanding run on the purple grime however he stumbled within the quarter-final on the French Open. The Spanish teenager was crushed by Sinner within the Wimbledon 4th spherical however Alcaraz appears to be in prime kind on the arduous courts of New York.

Alcaraz defeated former champion Marin Cilic in a 5-setter earlier than the marathon in opposition to Sinner to achieve his maiden Grand Slam semi-final.

“I feel great to be in my first semi-final in a Grand Slam. I feel better about reaching the semi-final here in US Open. This tournament is amazing. The crowd is amazing, I would say the best in the world.

“I imply, the vitality I obtain on this courtroom at 3 a.m., it was unbelievable. I imply, in all probability in different tournaments, different place, everyone went to their home to relaxation. But they maintain within the courtroom, supporting me. It was unbelievable. I really feel nice to have, nicely, play a semi-final right here in US Open,” he added.

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