On a sunlit Sunday at Flushing Meadows, Carlos Alcaraz once again electrified the US Open crowd, blending dazzling shot-making with steely resolve to book his place in the quarter-finals. The 22-year-old Spaniard, already a Grand Slam champion and one of tennis’s most magnetic talents, dispatched France’s Arthur Rinderknech 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 in a fourth-round duel that showcased both his flair and his growing maturity.
The match began with both players struggling to find their rhythm on serve, each landing less than half of their first serves in the opening set. Yet, what the contest lacked in serving precision, it more than made up for in drama. Rinderknech, competing in the fourth round of a major for the first time, played with conviction, matching Alcaraz shot-for-shot through a tense opener. But it was Alcaraz’s subtle shift in return position during the second set that proved decisive, allowing him to neutralize the Frenchman’s powerful delivery and seize control.
“At the beginning of the first set, we were tight. We didn’t have break points in the first set, but it didn’t mean we were serving good, because the percentage was really bad from both,” Alcaraz admitted after the match. “I just [found] a good rhythm, a good position for the returns... I tried to make the most of the opportunities that he gave me, but there weren’t too many.”
Alcaraz’s adaptability and tactical awareness have become hallmarks of his rapid ascent. On Sunday, those qualities were on full display. After a tight first set that saw neither player carve out a break point, the Spaniard pounced in the tiebreak, capitalizing on an untimely double fault from Rinderknech at 2/1 and cruising to a 7-3 finish. The second set saw Alcaraz’s confidence soar as he began to dictate rallies, eventually breaking through in the sixth game with a smash winner to take a 4-2 lead. Despite a brief wobble on serve, he closed out the set 6-3, inching closer to yet another major milestone.
But it wasn’t just Alcaraz’s baseline brilliance that had Arthur Ashe Stadium on its feet. Early in the match, after a tame drop shot from Rinderknech, Alcaraz found himself wrong-footed at midcourt. In a moment of audacious improvisation, he whipped a behind-the-back flick past his stunned opponent, drawing a roar from the crowd. “Sometimes I practise it, I’m not gonna lie,” Alcaraz grinned afterward. “I don’t practise it too many times, it’s just if the opportunity is there, I will try. Then in the match, it’s the same. If I have the opportunity, why not? I think the people like it… I like playing tennis like this, so it just came naturally.”
That flair for the dramatic is quickly becoming Alcaraz’s signature. He finished the match with 36 winners to just 11 unforced errors, repeatedly chasing down drop shots and unleashing highlight-reel passing shots. Rinderknech, for his part, saved two break points late in the third set and managed to halt Alcaraz’s momentum at times, but the Spaniard remained untouchable on serve, wrapping up the win in just over two hours.
The victory was historic in more ways than one. At 22 years and 3 months, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarter-finals, surpassing legends like Boris Becker and Björn Borg. He’s now into his fourth US Open quarter-final in just five appearances and, perhaps most impressively, has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament. According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Alcaraz leads the Tour with 58 wins and six titles in 2025, keeping him firmly in the hunt for a return to the world No. 1 ranking.
“My style of tennis fits pretty well to the energy here,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging the raucous New York crowd. “The people like it; I like playing tennis like this.” His infectious energy, combined with a relentless competitive spirit, has made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent on any stage.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz will face Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals. Lehecka, 23, booked his spot with a 7-6(4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Adrian Mannarino earlier in the day, reaching his second career Grand Slam quarter-final and his first at the US Open. The matchup promises intrigue: Alcaraz holds a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head, though Lehecka claimed their only previous meeting on hard courts in Doha earlier this year. “He’s one of the two biggest challenges right now in tennis,” Lehecka said of Alcaraz. “He’s moving very well. He can serve big. He knows everything. His game is complete. ... So for me I will just try to stick to the weapons that I have, to the weapons which worked for me in these last two matchups.”
Alcaraz’s path to the quarter-finals this year has been marked by remarkable consistency. He’s won 54 of 55 service games through four matches and lost just 23 games in his first three rounds. The 2022 US Open champion is also the first player this season to reach the quarter-finals at all four majors, a testament to his evolution into one of the sport’s most reliable performers. His 21 US Open match victories in his first five appearances trail only John McEnroe and Lleyton Hewitt in the Open Era, further underscoring his rapid rise.
For Rinderknech, the match was a learning experience. The 30-year-old Frenchman, who played college tennis at Texas A&M, was appearing in the fourth round of a major for the first time and showed flashes of the game that got him there. He struck with conviction, especially in the opening set, but ultimately couldn’t match Alcaraz’s consistency and shot-making under pressure.
As the tournament heads into its final stretch, all eyes will be on a potential showdown between Alcaraz and defending champion Jannik Sinner, should both men advance. The two have been fierce rivals throughout the season, and they’re seeded to meet in the championship match for the fifth consecutive major they’ve contested together. For now, though, Alcaraz’s focus remains firmly on his next challenge.
With his trademark grin and a growing list of accomplishments, Carlos Alcaraz continues to captivate the tennis world. His blend of artistry and athleticism, combined with an unwavering competitive edge, makes every match a must-watch event. As he prepares for his quarter-final clash against Lehecka, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: how far can this young superstar go in New York this year?
One thing’s for sure—if Alcaraz keeps playing with this mix of swagger, grit, and joy, the US Open crowds are in for a treat. The journey continues under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where history feels just a little bit closer with every swing of his racket.
