Alcaraz Overcomes Knee Issue to Reach U.S. Open Fourth Round

Carlos Alcaraz overcame a scare with his right knee during his third-round match at the U.S. Open against Luciano Darderi, securing a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory to advance to the fourth round. The 22-year-old, who has not dropped a set in the tournament, called for a medical timeout after feeling discomfort in his knee but reported that the issue subsided after a few points and was just a precaution. Despite losing his serve briefly in the second set, Alcaraz regained control and dominated the rest of the match, delivering 31 winners and maintaining strong play throughout. He praised his unusual early match time and credited his preparation for his strong performance, while Darderi acknowledged the difficulty of facing Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 2 in the world. Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam champion and the 2022 U.S. Open winner, will next face Arthur Rinderknech, leading their head-to-head 3-0, with eyes on a potential semifinal against Novak Djokovic. Overall, his health appears stable, and he remains confident about his physical condition moving forward in the tournament.