Alcaraz youngest male to reach quarterfinals of a Grand Slam in Open era
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest player in the Open era to reach the men’s quarterfinals after beating Peter Gojowczyk in the fourth round of the US Open.
The 18-year-old beat the German in five sets, 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 in a three-and-a-half hour match briefly interrupted by light rain, to reach the final eight at Flushing Meadows.
Gojowczyk, ranked 141 in the world, started strong to prevail in the first set, but was eventually slowed down by a thigh injury. He took a medical timeout in the middle of the fourth set.
Gojowczyk fades in final sets
The 32-year-old German put up a good fight but ultimately ran out of steam, being bagelled by the teenager in the final set.
The 55th-ranked Spaniard fed off the energy of the crowd who was chanting his name, delivering seven aces and winning 15 points at the net, while Gojowczyk racked up a grand total of 84 unforced errors.
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Alcaraz did not exhibit the same level of play that sealed his upset over third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round, but was able to deliver during crunch time. He also knew how to take advantage of Gojowczyk’s weak points.
Alcaraz takes over record of Agassi, Chang
At 18 years and four months, Alcaraz is eight days younger than Andre Agassi was when the American tennis great reached the 1988 US Open quarterfinals and eventually, the semis.
Alcaraz takes over from Michael Chang as the youngest to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event. Chang’s achievement took place at the 1990 French Open.
The Open era began in 1968 when the sport turned professional.
The young Spanish sensation will battle 12th-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the semifinals.