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US Open Men’s Day 6

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Carlos Alcaraz continued to excel in the defence of his US Open title as the top seed advanced to the fourth round of the US Open 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 over Dan Evans on Saturday.

The Spanish top seed has said he wants to be the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to defend the title at Flushing Meadows.

“I would love to be part of tournament history along with Roger – that is my main goal right now,” the 20-year-old world No.1 said after overcoming Evans in three and a quarter hours.

“I’m watching my draw but focusing on day-to-day matches. To defend here is a goal for me – I’m looking for that.”

Alcaraz will play in the Open quarters for a third straight year. He holds 6 titles with a 56-6 record in 2023.

The loss was the third for recent Washington tournament champion Evans against Alcaraz.

“He’s a tricky opponent who goes to the net a lot,” Alcaraz said of the 28th-ranked Briton. “His style suits my game well.”

Alcaraz called his victory “a pretty good match. We had great shots and a lot of variety.

“I’m happy to get through and play a fourth round at the Open.”

Alcaraz, who lost a set to Evans for the first time in three meetings, will bid for the quarter-finals in a Monday match against Italian surprise packet Matteo Arnaldi after the No. 61 put out British hope Cam Norrie 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

Emerging young gun Jack Draper provided the only relief for Britain on the day with his 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, win over Michael Mmoh to reach the second week of a major for the first time.

The 21-year-old lefthander who has been plagued by shoulder problems, upset 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round.

Draper, son of a former British national tennis boss, missed nearly three months with his shoulder problem after retiring from a match at Roland Garros.

He finished off victory with 51 winners and will rise in the rankings to within striking distance of the Top 100.

“I was proud of the way I went out there,” Draper said. “I don’t think I played my best tennis necessarily, but I guess that’s what tennis is about – trying to get over the line when you’re not quite at your best.

“He made it really difficult for me. He came out firing in the third set, and luckily I took my chance in the fourth. I’m glad for the win.”

The Brit next takes on eighth seed Andrey Rublev, who accounted for his third French opponent this week by beating Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.

“I hadn’t played him before so I didn’t know what to expect,” the winner said. 

“I knew he had a huge serve and a really amazing forehand and he goes for the shots; I knew it was going to be a really tough match.

“I was happy to turn it (after losing the first set) around and win the match.” 

Rinderknech made Rublev work for the win, saving three match points before losing

Rublev now stands 43-17 on the season and will be looking for his fourth Open quarter-final.

Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner outlasted former titleholder Stan Wawrinka, defeating the veteran Swiss 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a three-hour battle.

After denying the 38-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner a ninth Top 10 win at Flushing Meadows, Sinner reached his 10th career fourth round after playing 16 majors.

Sinner lost to Wawrinka in his Grand Slam debut here in 2019, but turned the tables with a three-hour victory which improves his record to 4-2 over the Swiss.

“Obviously in four years a couple of things have changed, but I’m happy about my performance today,” Sinner said.

“I wasn’t playing at my best, and  he wasn’t at his best, but in key moments I handled it in a better way than him and I’m happy to be in the next round.”

Main photo:-US Open New York Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) all smiles as he wins third round match by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

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Rune rises to the occasion with defeat of Alcaraz

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Holger Rune battled past injured Carlos Alcaraz to spoil the Spanish Easter party at the Barcelona Open, with the Dane lifting the trophy 7-6 (6), 6-2. 

The pair of 21-year-olds were familiar foes, having played 20 times in juniors before hitting the Tour;  Rune won the first 500 series title of his career and his fifth overall.

Alcaraz was treated three times in the second set after an apparent injury to his upper right thigh/groin after duelling hard in the opening set at the Real Club.

The loss will send Alcaraz back to third in the rankings, with Alexander Zverev moving back to second behind Jannik Sinner as a result of winning the Munich title on Sunday.

Rune, a first-round victim last week in Monte Carlo, reversed his clay momentum in Spain, handing Alcaraz a first loss of a set for the week.

The Spanish top seed’s two final shots both clipped the top of the net and fell back as Rune raised his hands in celebration after 97 minutes on court in the Catalan capital.

“This means the world,” the winner said. “I started the match stressed, he was playing big-time tennis.

“I was able to find my rhythm after he broke me (3-2 in the opening set) and I got more into the match.

“The first set was a big battle with a lot of important points. It was super-important to win the set and gain momentum.

“I’m so proud of myself.”

Rune ended with 18 winners while the ailing Alcaraz produced 33 unforced errors. The Dane claimed his 50th match win on clay and levelled his Tour record in the series to 2-2.

Rune said he channeled Novak Djokovic’s Paris Olympic gold medal win from  last summer over Alcaraz as he struggled to turn his game around in Barcelona.

“I asked myself what Novak did to win that final. I (realised) that I didn’t need to hit every ball on the line. I need to make him play and hit a lot of balls.”

Rune, who won the elite Paris Bercy Masters 1000 title in 2022, finally began reversing a 13-match loss streak against top five opponents.with his title victory.

Alcaraz may be racing for fitness with the Madrid Masters starting on Wednesday as the ATP ploughs ahead with an unpopular two-week format for Masters tournaments despite growing protest from exhausted players.

Main photo:- Holger Rune celebrates Barcelona win – by ATPTour.com

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Zverev grabs a birthday gift with third Munich title

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Alexander Zverev turned 28 on Sunday and awarded himself a third title on his home Munich clay as he beat Ben Shelton 6-2,6-4 to win the ATP event.

The 2017 and 2018 champion here is now threatening Carlos Alcaraz as the pair duel for the world No. 2 position which the Spaniard took over last week after winning Monte Carlo.

Zverev schooled lefthander Shelton in 70 minutes for a second win in their series. The winner becomes the second to hold three Munich titles after countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber (2007, 2012, 2016). 

“I’m enjoying my birthday so far,” Zverev said. “It’s extremely special to win in Germany, the most special thing I can do.

January’s Australian Open finalist added: “It’s definitely a great birthday present, I knew I had to play my best today, conditions were very hot and very fast.They were perfect for me.”

The winner broke three times while never facing a challenge to his serve from  Shelton as he claimed a sixth career title at the 500-Tour level.

Main photo:- Alexander Zverev with his “birthday” trophy – by BMW Open/Bitpanda

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Zverev fulfils home fan dreams to line up against Shelton

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Alexander Zverev gave fans in Munich what they were after as the top seed rolled into the final of the clay ATP in Bavaria with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 defeat of Fabian Marozsan.

World No. 3 Zverev, who won the titles in 2017 and 2018 needed 91 minutes to advance into a title match with Ben Shelton.

The American earned his spot with a .2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 defeat of Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.

Zverev advanced with nine aces and broke twice in the tidy win over his Hungarian opposition.

“It’s awesome. The entire week has been great. Everybody is really enjoying the weather as well as the new Center Court,” the winner said. .
“I’m enjoying myself and hopefully I will have another great day tomorrow.”

Shelton reached his fourth career final, becoming the first American man to reach a clay  final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi won the Rome Masters 23 years ago.

“It’s a big win for me. To get a win on clay against a guy like him gives me a lot of confidence,” Shelton.

“I’m really happy and excited to be in a 500-level final in Europe, my second clay-court tournament this season. 

“I’ve been playing well this week and I’m not too stressed right now.”

Main photo:-Alexander Zverev winning in front of his home crowd – by ATPTour.com

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