Carlos Alcaraz battles through knee injury to progress in U.S. Open

Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to add a sixth Grand Slam title of his young career at the U.S. Open but he had to survive an injury scare in Friday’s third round.

The 22-year-old was leading by a set and a break against No. 32 Luciano Darderi and looked to be cruising through to the next round. However he then took an awkward step while playing a forehand shot and looked to be in real pain.

Alcaraz appeared to have injured his right knee and his play suffered, suffering his first broken game of the tournament soon after. He was forced to take a medical timeout and received a leg massage.

Despite some concern over his fitness, that treatment seemed to have the desired effect and he returned to top form. He returned to roll through Darderi for the rest of the match, not dropping another game to secure a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory.

“I’m feeling good,” Alcaraz said after the win. “Just a precaution that I asked for the physio when he broke my serve in the last point. I felt something that wasn’t working good in the knee.

“After 5, 6 points it was gone. I asked for the physio just to take care about the knee because it was one set left, I had to be ready and feeling good physically. Precaution. I’m gonna talk with my team but I’m not worried about it.”

Alcaraz arrived at Flushing Meadows fresh from victory at the Cincinnati Masters, proving that he is on top form despite a challenging year. The Spaniard won the U.S. Open back in 2022 and he will be hoping to add another this year.

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