Alcaraz to hit the links after QF win

Carlos Alcaraz has already lined up a round of golf on his day off after pummelling Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach his third semi-final at the US Open.

The Spanish second seed who won the title here in 2023, will hit the links with Spanish pro Sergio Garcia, whom keen amateur Alcaraz said should give him “10 or 15 strokes to make it fair.”

“he added: “I have two days off – 100 percent I will play golf. Why change the routine? On every day off I try to pay some golf.”

LIV pro Garcia was in the stands and cheering his countryman during the quarter-final victory.

On court, Alcaraz was ruthless as he flattened Czech Lehecka in another straight-set success which took less than two hours.

Alcaraz could take back the No. 1 ranking from Jannik Sinner if he wins the title on Sunday, but said he is trying to ignore the possibility for now.

“It’s difficult not to think about it. But when I step on the court I don’t think of it,”
 the second seed said.

“If I think of No. 1 too much I put pressure on myself. I want to get on court, follow my goals for the match and anjoy it as much as I can.

“No. 1 is always there.”

Lehecka, playing for the first time in his career on the massive Ashe showcourt, showed his nerves by dropping serve in the opening game of the first two sets as Alcaraz got to work.

The Spaniard raced to a two-set lead, a position from which he has never lost a career match at a Grand Slam.

The third set stayed on serve until Alcaraz broke for 5-4 an served out the winner moments later.

Alcaraz, who was facing Lehecka for the third time this season, never faced a break point as he polished his seson record to 22-2 at the four Grand Slams

The Spaniard has reached the final of all seven events he has played since an opening-round loss in Miami last March.

The seed who earned his 59th match win of the season has yet to drop a set at this edition of the season’s final major as he extended his current Tour win streak to 11 on the trot.

He will wait for a last-four opponent as 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic faces 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz in a later quarter-final.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz into third US Open semi-final by Mark Greenwood/Grandslamtennis