Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish star and second seed, has yet to drop a set in New York this year as he targets a second U.S. Open title and what would be his sixth Grand Slam triumph. Standing in his way is 20th seed Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, contesting only his second major quarterfinal.
“Against a player like Carlos you need to bring your best,” Lehecka admitted. “He’s one of the two biggest challenges right now in tennis.” The two have split previous encounters on different surfaces — Lehecka shocking Alcaraz on hard courts in Doha earlier this year, before the Spaniard gained revenge on grass at Queen’s.
Whoever emerges from that battle will meet either 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic or American fourth seed Taylor Fritz, last year’s U.S. Open finalist and the home crowd’s last hope.
Djokovic, now 38, has dominated Fritz in their rivalry, winning all 10 of their previous meetings, yet he acknowledged his opponent’s growing maturity. “Taylor definitely is one of the guys that no doubt has a game, has a potential to be a Grand Slam winner,” the Serbian said. “He was one match away here last year, so there is no reason not to believe he can make it.”
Fritz, feeding off the New York crowd, believes the moment could favor him. “Hopefully the crowd is really going to get behind me now because I am the last (American) guy,” he said.
On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka is carrying the weight of expectation as she attempts to become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012–2014) to successfully defend the U.S. Open title. Far from feeling burdened, the world No. 1 insists she thrives under the spotlight.
“I think pressure is part of our lives, and I think pressure is normal,” Sabalenka said. “I’m enjoying being world number one. I’m enjoying this pressure. I’m working really hard to be where I am. For me, it’s a fun life if you’re really enjoying your job.”
She faces 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in a marquee night-session duel. Earlier in the day, American Jessica Pegula — beaten by Sabalenka in last year’s final — faces Czech opponent Barbora Krejcikova, who staged one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks by saving eight match points against Taylor Townsend in the previous round.
Pegula, candid about her struggles in recent weeks, credited a lighter mindset for her current run. “I felt terrible coming into this tournament, honestly,” she revealed. “Went and did an escape room with my friends and had, like, two drinks and was, like, I need to just chill and stop getting so frustrated and overthinking all these practices.”
Krejcikova, meanwhile, is rediscovering her form after a long injury layoff. “Just four months ago I was off the court, I couldn’t play, I couldn’t practice, I didn’t know if I will ever be back,” she said.
With Alcaraz chasing history, Djokovic eyeing yet another major, Sabalenka bracing under the weight of expectation, and underdogs like Fritz, Pegula, and Krejcikova determined to disrupt the script, Tuesday’s action promises the drama and intensity worthy of tennis’s final Grand Slam of the year.