US Open: Carlos Alcaraz marches on as Daniil Medvedev books quarter-final with friend Andrey Rublev
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reaches the US Open quarter-finals, while Daniil Medvedev is through to face 'close friend' Andrey Rublev at Flushing Meadows; watch the final Grand Slam of the year in New York - live on Sky Sports Tennis
Tuesday 5 September 2023 07:28, UK
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz wasted little time in beating Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 6-4 to reach the US Open quarter-finals on Monday.
Under a closed roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz was solid from the start against a man who was playing in the Flushing Meadows main draw for the first time.
It took a few games for Alcaraz to size up his opponent but once the Spaniard did, it was pretty much one-way traffic.
Alcaraz took charge with a break for a 4-2 lead in the first set and then broke again at the start of the second to find himself 2-0 up.
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The feisty Italian would have his moment in the third set, breaking Alcaraz at 2-1 but the Spaniard would immediately break back and then again to seal victory.
"I think the intensity from the beginning until the last ball pleased me," said the 20-year-old Wimbledon champion.
"I played a really solid match, less mistakes, I played my game. I'm really happy with the performance."
He will face 12th-seeded Alexander Zverev next after the German outlasted Italy's No 6 seed Jannik Sinner in a match which went all five sets.
Zverev eventually prevailed 6-4 3-6 6-2 4-6 6-3 in a match which included a fan being ejected from the stadium for directing disparaging remarks directed towards him.
Elsewhere, eighth seed Andrey Rublev ended British hopes in the US Open singles when beating Jack Draper in four sets.
Rublev will face fellow Russian and close friend Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals after the third seed battled back to beat Alex de Minaur 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-2.
"I think we're really close friends," said Medvedev. "We have great relationship. Even if on the court we're big competitors, I think nothing is going to come between us to separate us in real life.
"It's great to have someone like this on tour because sometimes it can be not easy. You travel, travel, travel. To have a friend like this is great. But on the court we both want to win. We're not going to be friends in two days."
The US Open on Sky Sports: How and where to watch
Sky welcomes tennis back to its channels, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports' new mixed reality studio features multiple custom built LED screens, integrated light 'sabres', and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
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- Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App I Watch with NOW
With integrated AR capabilities, a versatile LED floor, and a 'fourth wall', the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive environment. Our tennis experts will take the viewer into the eyes of the players for expert Hawkeye analysis and insight as the tournament progresses.
The technology involved allows us to add an entire new dimension and will bring customers closer to the action.
Highlights of matches will be available across Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will also be available of the Sky Sports website and app, where there will also be a daily live text commentary on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as live scores, reports, analysis and features.
Stream the US Open on Sky Sports with NOW for just £26 a month for 12 months. Cancel anytime.
