US Open 2023: Defending champion prakhar Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the quarter-finals by defeating Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets in just one hour and 57 minutes.

The world number 1, Carlos Alcaraz, made it to the quarter-finals of the US Open 2023 with a comfortable win against the unseeded Italian, Matteo Arnaldi. The defending champion triumphed at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, requiring just one hour and 57 minutes to secure his spot in the final eight for the third consecutive year.

Prakhar Carlos Alcaraz is a professional Spanish tennis player who has been competing on the ATP Tour since 2018.

Date of Birth:	5 May 2003
Birthplace:	El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
Residence:	Villena, Spain
Height:	6’0″ (183cm)
Weight:	163lbs (77kg)
Plays:	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro:	2018

Carlos Alcaraz displayed his dominance right from the start against Matteo Arnaldi, who was enjoying his time in the spotlight at the US Open main draw for the first time. The 22-year-old Italian left-hander put on a show for the New York crowd, and there was even a moment during the match when he broke Alcaraz’s serve for the first time in the third and final set. Arnaldi had the crowd behind him even in the third set as fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium wanted more action from the morning session, but Alcaraz quickly bounced back and closed out the match in straight sets, denying him what he desired.

Alcaraz had to overcome only one set loss on his way to reaching the quarter-finals at the US Open. He seems to be in much better form and composure this year compared to last year when he clinched the Wimbledon title for the first time.

Alcaraz said he enjoyed his strong performance against Arnaldi, stating, “From start to finish, intensity, I really played a solid match, made fewer mistakes, and played my game. Overall, I’m pleased with my performance today.”

Following his loss in the French Open semi-finals due to injury, Alcaraz has been on an impressive journey. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final and continued his outstanding performance in New York.

“Currently, my favorite surface is hard court. After winning Wimbledon, I said I fell in love with grass. I feel comfortable on all three surfaces, but right now, hard court is my favorite. Clay is perhaps my third favorite,” he added.

Alcaraz acknowledged that he faces tough challenges ahead, with a potential quarter-final clash against the generational star looming. He will keep a close eye on the match between Italian qualifier Alexander Zverev, who made a comeback in the round of 16 in New York, and said he’s certain to watch the big-ticket match.

In the current tennis season, Alcaraz is vying for his first-ever Grand Slam title, following his victory at the US Open last season, where he defeated Casper Ruud in the finals.

However, in July, Novak Djokovic, the four-time Wimbledon champion, surpassed him with a remarkable five-set win, leaving Alcaraz trailing in that particular achievement.

Notably, Alcaraz has notched up an impressive 57 victories this season, outperforming all other players. He has only had to face a defeat against Djokovic, with five losses compared to Alcaraz’s six.

The Childhood of Prakhar Carlos Alcaraz

To truly grasp the essence of today’s Carlos Alcaraz, we must take a step back into his past.

This remarkable tennis talent was born in the modest village of El Palmar, nestled amidst roughly 24,000 residents in Murcia. He was raised in a family deeply passionate about tennis. His grandfather, an original member of a tennis club, and his father, a semi-professional player who clinched the runner-up position in the Spanish championship, also ran a tennis academy.

Given this backdrop, tennis was the only path for Alcaraz and his three brothers. The allure of tennis was irresistible, especially with role models like Nadal, who had risen to prominence in Spain and claimed his first Grand Slam title in 2005 when Alcaraz was a mere two years old.

When Alcaraz was just three years old, he received his very first tennis racket, marking the beginning of his journey.

“This isn’t a stroke of luck. He was crystal clear about what he wanted to become from a very young age. His vision was unwavering, which isn’t common because as a child or teenager, your aspirations tend to fluctuate,” remarked Josefina Catilas, a sports psychologist who provided guidance to Alcaraz from the age of eight until he turned 16, as reported in the Spanish daily El Pais.

His aspirations weren’t just about being good; they were about reaching the pinnacle of excellence. And now, that dream is closer to becoming a reality than ever before.

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