Carlos Alcaraz ‘showing others you must enjoy it’ at US Open
Carlos Alcaraz is staying focused on improving steadily and enjoying himself at the US Open despite the lofty expectations set on him by his results this season.
After reaching a first Slam quarter-final in New York last year, the 19-year-old is now expected to go deep at every Major.
However, Alcaraz is still playing in just his eighth Slam main draw at the US Open, having just played his 26th match at that level in defeating Federico Coria 6-2, 6-1, 7-5.
“I mean, I’m trying to show all the players, all the people, that you have to enjoy it, to go for it, to show your best level in the best moment, in the best style,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Of course I try not to think about the pressure, not to think about the results, and the ranking, you know.
“[I’m] just trying to be myself on court, trying to, as you say, show my best level. I think I am getting better every day that I am playing here in US Open. So I just enjoy [myself] and show my best level in the next rounds.”
The win over Coria takes the young Spaniard level with Stefanos Tsitsipas as the man with the most wins on tour in 2022 at 46. Moreover, Alcaraz has now reached at least the third round at every Slam this year, and equalled his quarter-final result from last year at the French Open in May.
Next up, the world number four faces another young gun in Jenson Brooksby after the American defeated Cincinnati Masters champion Borna Coric 6-4, 7-6 (12-10), 6-1 to reach the third round. It will be a first ever meeting between the Next Gen stars.
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