Alcaraz makes quick work of Arnaldi to reach US Open last eight

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates match point against Matteo Arnaldi of Italy during their Men's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Eight of the 2023 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City, Sept. 4. AFP-Yonhap

On the American Labor Day holiday, U.S. Open defending champion Carlos Alcaraz went to work and eased past Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 6-4 on Monday to reach the quarter-finals.

Through the first week of the season's final Grand Slam, the world number one has been putting in routine shifts and dropped only one set en route to the last eight.

But the second week is the business end of a Grand Slam when the draw has thinned out and serious contenders surface.

In Alcaraz's rear view mirror are relative unknowns, like Arnaldi and Dominik Koepfer, but further ahead lurk familiar danger men such as Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.

He will next face either Italian sixth seed Sinner or 12th seeded German Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz has not shown his best yet on the New York hardcourts but like a hot Wall Street stock the Spaniard is trending in the right direction.

There have been a few hiccups and lapses but the 20-year-old's raw talent, power and repertoire of weapons make him the man to beat and he is on track for another showdown with arch rival Novak Djokovic.

Italy's Matteo Arnaldi, right, shakes hands with Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after being defeated during the U.S. Open tennis tournament men's singles round of 16 match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, Sept. 4. AFP-Yonhap

Solid Alcaraz

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.

The feisty Italian had his moment in the third set, breaking Alcaraz at 2-1, but the Spaniard immediately broke back and then broke again to seal victory.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain returns a shot between the legs against Matteo Arnaldi of Italy during their Men's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Eight of the 2023 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City, Sept. 4. AFP-Yonhap

Later Arnaldi confirmed what most already knew ― he could see no holes in Alcaraz's game.

"(I) try to not let him find weakness to my game," said Alcaraz. "I try to put him to the limit every time that I can in every match, against every opponent.”

"I try to put my own game, try to put my style on the match.”

"I'm happy that he said that because I'm doing great things on the court."

It has been rare to catch Alcaraz without a smile whether on court, television or mingling with fans signing autographs.

For now everything is going according to plan and Alcaraz, without a hint of bravado, rated his performance so far as great.

"Honestly, I've played great matches with a great level, high quality," he said. "I hope to keep going like this.”

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return to Italy's Matteo Arnaldi during the U.S. Open tennis tournament men's singles round of 16 match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, Sept. 4. AFP-Yonhap

"For me, nothing else matters than playing my level and be happy with the level that I'm playing on court.”

"That's the only thing I care about right now.”

"All the pressure that people put on you, on the defending champions, I just delete it and focus on my own game." (Reuters)