Carlos Alcaraz reaches US Open quarterfinal with late-night win against Marin Cilic
The first set was long and technical but I couldn’t stop playing. I was really happy that I could bring this trophy to my city for the first time.”
Marin Cilic went down in the third game but Carlos Alcaraz dominated early on in the second set. He never let up.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz now has a chance to be the first to win the trophy at the U.S. Open since Andre Agassi became the first to win the title at Indian Wells in 2001.
You have to be ready for sudden change when you play a player who’s as big or bigger than you,” he said. “That gives you a challenge because you just can’t prepare like you can with a guy like Agassi who stays in the game.”
The World No. 9 will face another former world No. 1, John Isner of the United States, in the second round.
“The level here is not as good as it was last year. I think that’s clear. It’s too much too, so you have to be able to take a little bit more time,” Alcaraz said. “I think this year is going to be my best year. I am excited about it.”
For Alcaraz the victory against Cilic in the first round of the U.S. Open will be a step forward as well as for him.
“He’s a good player. He’s a top player but he also has the talent to play at the very top at the very best,” Alcaraz said. “He can play like one of the best. He’s playing at the top of the game and we’ll see how he is in the second round.”
Alcaraz and his brother Carlos Alcaraz, a former world No. 1 in doubles, have won
