By Defeating Matteo Arnaldi 63 63 64, the Spaniard Gallops into the Quarterfinals of the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz continues his title defence in glamorous stye. Clearly a favourite against Matteo Arnaldi, ranked 61 and still unexperienced at such heights, not only did he win with due comfort, but he appeared flawless and creative in all domains of the game.
“I’m very happy with the level I played, because it was a tougher match than it seems” he said, beaming after the match. “I try to not to let my opponent find weakness to my game. I try to put him to the limit every time that I can. I try to put my own game, try to put my style on the match.”
As his custom, he was aiming to dictate from the start, willing to throw in a few errors, ma not to concede the upper hand. Arnaldi, at his debut in a fourth round of a Slam and in a temple of tennis, as the Arthur Ashe, did not show signs of quivers.
Playing well most often is not enough against Carlos Alcaraz, swift to rise love 40 in the sixth game. Arnaldi hit an ace and a winning serve to save two break points, but Alcaraz converted the third and went on to win the first set 63 in 32 minutes.
Seldom is Alcaraz content just with powerful pressuring, but he delights himself, and those watching, with an unpredictable variety of shots. Terribly muddling for any opponent and when Arnaldi conceded a break point in the first game of the second set, the Spaniard seized the chance.
The Italian still didn’t lose heart and went on with his gameplan, seeking rapid winners, trying, though too often unsuccessfully, to pounce onto Alcaraz’s second serve.
Indeed the match was characterized be short and sharp rallies, seldom over 8 shots.
The two players entertained the public with some spectacular points, dropshots, lobs on the stretch, volleys, and whizzing across the court like in a Marvel movie.
Arnaldi did his best to remain on the Spaniard’s coattails throughout the set, but after saving two set points with a drive volley and a deep, scythed volley, which landed in the right corner, he surrendered service a second time and Alcaraz was two sets ahead.
The Italian’s attempts to be aggressive on his opponent’s serve paid off at last in the very first game of the third set, when he broke to love. Alcaraz didn’t let him rush away and was back level at three all. Arnaldi kept fighting to the end, playing and winning quality rallies, but Alcaraz never appeared under actual threat. The tenth game was the last, when Alcaraz’s pressure yielded a second break. “Bravo, bravissimo” he congratulated Arnaldi at the handshake.
The young Italian’s reward will be a ranking within the top 50, his career highest, whereas Alcaraz will be enjoying a third straight-quarterfinal at the US Open against Sascha Zverev or Jannik Sinner.
