Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the US Open quarter-finals with a commanding 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 victory over France's Arthur Rinderknech on Sunday evening at Flushing Meadows.
The Spanish second seed maintained his flawless tournament record, progressing through four rounds without losing a single set.
The 22-year-old required just over two hours to dispatch Rinderknech, who was making his maiden appearance in a Grand Slam fourth round.
After navigating a competitive opening set that went to a tiebreak, Alcaraz found his rhythm and dominated proceedings at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the US Open quarter-finals with a commanding 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 victory over France's Arthur Rinderknech on Sunday evening at Flushing Meadows
|REUTERS
"At the beginning in the first set it was tight," Alcaraz admitted after the game. "We didn't have break points in the first set and it didn't mean that we were serving well, the percentage was bad from both of us.
"But after that I just got a good rhythm and tried to make the most of the opportunities.I played good, aggressive tennis, and found a good rhythm after the second set and tried to keep it going."
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The Spaniard is yet to drop a set in the tournament yet
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This marks the Spaniard's fourth quarter-final appearance at the US Open in five attempts at the tournament.
Alcaraz has accomplished an impressive career milestone by securing quarter-final fixtures at all four Grand Slam events this year for the first time.
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It is the first time Carlos Alcaraz has reached the quarter-final stage of every Grand Slam in a single season
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His exceptional form extends well beyond New York, with an extraordinary 34 victories against just one defeat since the Rome tournament.
The triumph also saw Alcaraz equal Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker's record of 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals before turning 23 in the Open Era.
With 58 tour victories and six titles already in 2025, he leads the race to Turin and could reclaim the world number one ranking if he matches or betters defending champion Jannik Sinner's performance in New York.
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The match turned decisively when Alcaraz modified his court positioning during the second set, standing further back to neutralise Rinderknech's powerful serve.
A crucial double fault from the Frenchman at 2-1 in the first-set tiebreak proved costly.
Alcaraz thrilled the Arthur Ashe crowd with an extraordinary behind-the-back winner in the fourth game after Rinderknech fired a forehand at his feet.
Carlos Alcaraz with the BEHIND THE BACK SHOT 🫨
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) August 31, 2025
INCREDIBLE. pic.twitter.com/JyGlPAyQoh
"Sometimes I practice it, I'm not gonna lie," Alcaraz admitted afterwards. "If I have the opportunity, why not? I think the people like it."
"I think my style of tennis suits the energy here in New York."
Alcaraz will face Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals, with their head-to-head record standing at 2-1 in the Spaniard's favour.
Lehecka secured his place with a four-set victory over Adrian Mannarino earlier on Sunday.