US Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz Needs Medical Time Out But Dominates Luciano Darderi

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 23:52 IST

Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Luciano Darderi at the US Open, setting up a clash with Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round.

Carlos Alcaraz at US Open (AP)

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the fourth round of the US Open on Friday the second seed dominated Italian 32nd seed Luciano Darderi, winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz’s one hour and 44-minute victory propels the 2022 US Open champion into a Sunday meeting with France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated compatriot Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.

Alcaraz is looking to conclude the season on a high note after winning the French Open in June but losing in the Wimbledon final last month.

The five-time Grand Slam singles champion began Friday’s play on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s main court and confessed he was nervous about the early 11.30am local time start.

“I’m not an early morning person so it’s difficult for me to wake up in the morning," Alcaraz said. “One of the good things today though I woke up early, did the warm up and felt good.

“Starting at 11:30 my first goal is to start well with a good energy and rhythm. I played great tennis, good performance so I’m proud of that."

Alcaraz needed a medical timeout while leading 5-4 in the second set for treatment on his right knee but later said he had no injury concerns.

“I just asked the physio to have a look at it because I wanted to be feeling good physically for that last set," he said. “I’m not worried about it."

In another early game, Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka advanced to the next round with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Belgium’s Raphael Collignon.

What Happened In Women’s Draw At US Open?

In the women’s draw, world number one Sabalenka faced Canada’s 31st seed Leylah Fernandez in a night game on the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Sabalenka aimed to become the first woman to successfully defend the US Open since Serena Williams achieved a hat-trick of titles in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Fernandez reached the final of the US Open in 2021, where she was defeated by Britain’s Emma Raducanu, the only player ever to win a Grand Slam singles title after emerging through qualifying.

Raducanu’s hopes of another fairytale run in New York came to an abrupt halt on Friday when she was overpowered in straight sets by Kazakh ninth seed Elena Rybakina, losing 6-1, 6-2.

“I thought Elena played very well, and I found it very difficult to get any sort of rhythm in the match," Raducanu said of Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion.

“When these top players are playing really well, it’s difficult," she added. “The ball just comes through really, really fast, and you feel like you just don’t really have any time, you know, to create anything, so it’s just constant pressure."

(With inputs from AFP)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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First Published:

August 29, 2025, 23:52 IST

News sports US Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz Needs Medical Time Out But Dominates Luciano Darderi

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