Carlos Alcaraz remains grounded despite booking quarter-final spot at US Open

Spaniard, 18, faces Felix Auger Aliassime next

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, returns against Peter Gojowczyk, of Germany, during the fourth round of the U. S. Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo / Frank Franklin II)

Carlos Alcara returns against Peter Gojowczyk of German. AP

Peter Gojowczyk, of Germany, right, returns against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, during the fourth round of the US Open. AP

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts after defeating Peter Gojowczyk of Germany to reach the US Open quarter-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz sits during a break in his match against Peter Gojowczyk. AP

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany. EPA

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany. EPA

Carlos Alcaraz of Spaincelebrates a point against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. AFP

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates. AFP

Carlos Alcaraz, 18, of Spain reacts against Peter Gojowczyk of German. AFP

Teenager Carlos Alcaraz is not getting caught up in the hype back home in Spain surrounding his record-breaking run to the US Open quarter-finals.

The 18-year-old became the youngest man to reach the last eight at Flushing Meadows in the open era after he beat Peter Gojowczyk 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.

It followed a brilliant five-set victory over third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round and further enhanced his reputation as the rising star of the men’s game.

In his homeland there have been natural comparisons to Rafael Nadal, but Alcaraz insists he is only concentrating on New York.

Asked if the media attention is affecting him, he said: “Not really. I know that in Spain, they are talking about me a lot, and I am trying not to think about this. Just focus on New York, on focus on every day here.”

It is certain to be the first of many deep runs into the biggest tournaments for Alcaraz, who is enjoying his place on the biggest stage.

“It’s really tough to play these kind of matches, to play five sets,” he said. “I hope to play more second weeks, to play more quarter-finals of grand slams.

“I didn’t expect to play quarter-finals here. So I think it’s a really good performance from me in these matches, so I’m really happy to play these kind of matches.”

His credentials will be tested even further in the next round as he faces Felix Auger Aliassime.

The Canadian beat home favourite Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4.

It has been the year of breakthroughs, as qualifier Botic Van De Zandschulp made it a double Dutch celebration on Sunday when he stunned 11th seed Diego Schwartzman in a major upset.

Hot on the heels of Max Verstappen’s victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, Holland can now boast a Flushing Meadows quarter-finalist after Van De Zandschulp won a five-set marathon 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1.

The world No 117 raced away with the first two sets and was a break up in the third when Argentinian Schwartzman mounted a comeback.

When Van De Zandschulp squandered two match points in the fourth the momentum seemed to be firmly with Schwartzman.

But the 25-year-old somehow managed to reset, grabbing a double break in the decider and finishing Schwartzman off with a nerve-jangling fifth match point to become only the third qualifier to reach the quarter-finals in US Open history.

Van De Zandschulp said on court: “I don’t really have words for it. I played so many matches here, some of them from the brink of defeat, but I pulled through every match.

“For the first time in the tournament I won the first set. Even the first two – and I still almost ended up losing the match.”

Van De Zandschulp will face world number two and second seed Daniil Medvedev in the last eight.

The Russian was ruthless as he dispatched Britain’s Dan Evans, the 24th seed, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

Medvedev said: “Botic, I saw the match today at 5-4 for him in the third, because then I went to play. I did think he’s gonna finish it in three, and when I went out and they told me he just finished but he still won, wow, impressive.

“I know kind of how he plays. I know he can play good. I saw this today, especially he chose very good tactic against Diego. He was all over the place.

“Again, if I serve well, if I play well, I know that it’s not easy to play against me. He has some matches in his legs. I’m going to try to use it and try to win, yeah.”