Carlos Alcaraz produced a sensational behind-the-back shot throughout his victory over Arthur Rinderknech on the US Open, successful the purpose from his quick-thinking improvisation.
The second of talent got here early within the first set of the Spaniard’s 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 victory when Rinderknech attacked a looping shot near the online. Alcaraz initially ran previous the ball earlier than throwing his racket behind his again and firing a return to the Frenchman, who hit his volley into the online.
The second had members of the crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on their ft, whereas Alcaraz soaked up the applause with an enormous grin.
The world No. 2 produced an analogous shot towards Jannik Sinner within the quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open. On that event, he additionally went on to win the purpose.
“Sometimes, I practice it, I’m not going to lie,” Alcaraz mentioned in his on-court interview. “I don’t follow it too many instances, simply within the follow if the chance is there, I’ll attempt it.
“In the match, it’s kind of the same. If I have the opportunity, why not? People like it, I like playing tennis like this, so it just came naturally.”
It set the tone for an additional spectacular efficiency from Alcaraz in New York. With the two-hour, 12-minute victory, he surpassed Boris Becker as the youngest man within the Open Era to succeed in 13 grand slam quarterfinals.
Chasing a sixth grand slam title and second on the US Open, Alcaraz is but to drop a set on this 12 months’s event and now faces Czech Republic’s Jiří Lehečka within the remaining eight.
The pair have already met twice this 12 months, with Lehečka successful their quarterfinal on the Qatar Open in February and Alcaraz getting revenge at Queen’s Club 4 months later.
“I’m just going to the court thinking: I’m playing well and just feeling great physically,” Alcaraz instructed reporters. “I just hitting the ball really well, as well. I’m thinking about playing my best tennis and enjoying myself when I step on the court. That’s all I am thinking about when I’m approaching every match.”