Alcaraz fights through knee discomfort to move into round of 16 and eye No. 1
Carlos Alcaraz battled through a tight moment with his right knee to seal a straight-sets victory, starting his day with an 11:30am first ball and showing the energy and rhythm that have become his hallmark.
He described a strong start, saying he pushed his opponent to the limit with long rallies and was proud of how he played. The Spaniard received treatment to his right knee and quadriceps while leading 5-4 in the second set, but afterward he insisted the discomfort vanished and that he wasn’t worried.
“I’m feeling good. I asked for the physio because when he broke my serve, on the last point I just felt something that was not working good in the knee. After five or six points, it was gone,” Alcaraz said.
Following the medical timeout, Alcaraz broke serve in the next game to move two sets up and then swept the third set to clinch the win.
Alcaraz remains on track for another major title this year, having won his first Grand Slam at the US Open as a teenager in 2022 and aiming to win his second major of the year after retaining his French Open crown in June. He will return to the world No. 1 spot if he matches or betters Jannik Sinner’s performance in New York.
Looking ahead, his fourth-round opponent is the unseeded Arthur Rinderknech, who is into the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career after beating Benjamin Bonzi 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-2.
What this means: Alcaraz’s continued form, combined with his ability to manage minor injuries, keeps him as a frontrunner for back-to-back majors and a potential return to No. 1. The upcoming match against Rinderknech represents another test, but the Spaniard’s display of focus and energy today bodes well for his title hopes.
Summary: Alcaraz, energized from a late start and hampered only briefly by a knee issue, advances to the round of 16 with a composed performance that keeps him in the hunt for a second major of the year and a potential top ranking. Positive momentum and clear confidence in his physical condition emerge from the win.