Carlos Alcaraz fires ominous US Open warning after hammering Alexander Zverev to make semis
Carlos Alcaraz has made the semi-finals of the US Open after beating Alexander Zverev
REUTERS
Carlos Alcaraz has claimed he's a 'different person and different player' - in an ominous warning to Daniil Medvedev ahead of their US Open semi-final showdown on Friday.
The Spaniard made the last four of the competition with a straightforward 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Alexander Zverev on Thursday.
Alcaraz won the US Open last year and has since proceeded to add the Wimbledon crown to his growing collection.
As a result of his win over Zverev, the youngster is now on the verge of becoming the first men's player since Roger Federer to win the tournament in consecutive years.
Alexander Zverev was unable to pose a threat during Carlos Alcaraz US Open clash
REUTERS
And Alcaraz has now warned Medvedev that he's better than ever before.
He said: “I think I’m more mature now [compared to 12 months ago].
"I grew up a lot since last year. Last year I was facing my first semi-final of a Grand Slam. Now I’m facing my fourth one."
Alcaraz also praised Zverev, despite the world No 12 failing to win a set and pose a genuine threat at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Watching the level Sascha (Zverev) was playing in the first set and being able to win was great for me," he stated.
"It gave me more confidence and probably he got down a little bit in the second set.
"Coming into the third set, knowing that I’m up, playing a great level, for him, it was really, really tough.”
Alcaraz is also looking forward to his match with Medvedev.
The Spaniard leads the Russian 2-1 in their head-to-head, with both victories taking place this year.
Medvedev won their first-ever meeting, beating Alcaraz in straight sets at Wimbledon back in the summer of 2021.
Alcaraz managed to beat Medevev 6-3, 6-2 at Indian Wells back in March.
And he then followed that up with an emphatic victory over the 27-year-old at Wimbledon in July.
The reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion added: “The last matches that I played against Daniil I played a tactical game played perfectly.
“I did pretty well all the things that I had to do against him, so I think my game suits pretty well against that type of opponent.”
As for Zverev, meanwhile, the German revealed he struggled with injury during the match.
The 2020 runner-up revealed he was troubled by a hamstring issue, having come through a five-set epic with Jannik Sinner mere days previously.
“In the second set, I felt something in my hamstring glute, left side," he revealed.
"I couldn’t push off on my serve anymore.
“My serve speed was down quite a lot compared to the other days.
"Against him (Alcaraz) I needed a good serving day otherwise it would have been difficult.”
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Carlos Alcaraz will now lock horns with Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the US Open
PA
The other US Open semi-final will be between Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton.
Djokovic booked his place in the last four of the tournament with a straight sets win over American Taylor Fritz.
Shelton, meanwhile, powered his way to a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 win over Frances Tiafoe.
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