Alcaraz Cruises into U.S. Open Semifinals, Eyes World No. 1

Carlos Alcaraz, seeded second, continued his dominant performance at the U.S. Open, securing a spot in the semifinals. He defeated Jiri Lehecka, the No. 20 seed, with a score of 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in under two hours on Tuesday in New York.

This victory marks Alcaraz's eleventh consecutive match win and his ninth Grand Slam semifinal appearance. This includes his third consecutive semifinal, following his win at the French Open and his runner-up finish at Wimbledon.

Alcaraz's serve was a key factor in his success. He won a remarkable 38 out of 45 first-service points, achieving an 84.4 percent success rate. He did not lose a single service game, going a perfect 14-for-14. Throughout the tournament, he has only dropped one service game in five matches, winning 68 out of 69.

Lehecka, from the Czech Republic, was the highest-seeded opponent Alcaraz has faced so far. In the semifinals, Alcaraz will compete against the victor of the match between Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, and Novak Djokovic, the seventh seed.

Alcaraz, who won the Cincinnati Open last month, has the opportunity to surpass Jannik Sinner for the World No. 1 ranking this week. He will achieve the top ranking if he matches or surpasses Sinner's performance in the tournament.

Alcaraz expressed that he tries not to focus too much on the No. 1 ranking, preferring to concentrate on his game and enjoy the process. Sinner's quarterfinal match is scheduled for Wednesday against Lorenzo Musetti, the No. 10 seed.

During the second set, Alcaraz showcased his skills with an impressive drop volley and a perfectly executed backhand. When asked about watching his own highlights, he admitted that while he doesn't actively seek them out, he sometimes watches them with his younger brothers.