(August 29, 2025) FLUSHING, NY – No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz won 10 out of 14 games up a set and a break when he seemed to tweak his right knee. He took a medical time out and received a leg massage, but went on to defeat No. 32 Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 on Friday afternoon at the US Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 22-year-old Spaniard said: “that game that he broke my serve, on the last point after the serve, the first step, I just feel something in the knee that, I mean, it was bother me.
“But, you know, it was after five, six points, you know, it was gone. I was worried after that. That why I ask for the physio, but it was nothing serious, so I just for precaution. After that, I just didn’t feel it anymore, and it was good. So it’s just about nothing serious.”
He hit 31 winners and won 70 of the 105 points that lasted four shots or fewer in the 1-hour and 44-minute contest.
“It’s too bad that I ran into Carlos in the third round, because right now it’s impossible to play against Jannik (Sinner) or Carlos. They are the two whose level is above everyone else’s,” Darderi said in his news conference. “Everyone knew going into today that my chances were not the highest.”
Alcaraz will face off against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round.
On facing the Frencman, Alcaraz said: “My coach told me when Arthur won, Okay, this is your next opponent. I was, This real? So I didn’t know and just to make sure.
“He’s really difficult to play against, really aggressive, big serve, trying to go to the net. So it’s going to be really difficult, but as I said, I’m just trying to be focused on myself, that I’m playing great tennis, and I’m feeling really comfortable physically, mentally, and just feeling the ball really well.
“I will try to think just about my goals, about myself, and let’s see, but it’s going to be a really interesting one.”
Alcaraz is focused on capturing another US Open title.
“Every time that I step on the court, I’m just locked in since the first point until the last one,” he said.
“Yeah, I’m taking last year as motivation coming into this year, be more hungry, ambitious to do great things here. This is a place that I love playing. The energy is crazy, so I’m just trying to feel the love and the energy from the people much more and playing as much matches as I can. So that motivates me.”
