US Open day 10: Carlos Alcaraz claims late win to set Frances Tiafoe popcorn clash

US Open
Delight for Frances Tiafoe

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner set a new record for the latest ever finish at the US Open in their quarter-final.

Alcaraz finally clinched a five-set victory over his fellow young gun at 2.50am to book a semi-final against American Frances Tiafoe, who earlier defeated Andrey Rublev.

World number one Iga Swiatek moved into her third grand slam semi-final of the year by beating Jessica Pegula while Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Pliskova.

Picture of the day

Frances Tiafoe shows his delight after beating Andrey Rublev (Seth Wenig/AP)

Shot of the day

Pegula drowns her sorrows

https://twitter.com/usopen/status/1567713028396961795

Del Potro back in town

https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1567714256707108864

Quotes of the day

“My hotel room right now is a disgrace too. Yeah, it’s pretty bad. Clothes everywhere. My player bank is diabolical. Yeah, it’s getting the job done, so who cares right now,” Frances Tiafoe on his courtside clutter.

“He liked a lot of candy and chocolates and cookies. He’d eat at unusual times. He missed breakfast a lot. He was, in my opinion, not really professional enough.” Wayne Ferreira, the coach of Frances Tiafoe who has made the semi-finals of a Slam for the first time.

“I still don’t know I did it. It was a high quality and unbelievable match. Jannik is a great player. I will never be tired of saying that all the wins I have here are due to the amazing support.” Carlos Alcaraz on his marathon win over Jannik Sinner

“I think this one will hurt for quite a while,” Sinner after his 5-hour, 15-minute defeat

“They took away one opportunity from me, so I worked really hard for this one,” Aryna Sabalenka on being motivated to make the semi-finals by the Wimbledon ban on Belarusian and Russian players.

“Let me double-check. I just don’t really know the surname, but just know the name Gavin,” Sabalenka struggling to recall the coach who has helped her improve her service action.

“I should be positive. At the same time I’m like, three quarter-finals. Sorry, but it sucks. It sucks,” Jessica Pegula after her defeat by Iga Swiatek which was her fourth Slam quarter-final loss.

“I’m trying to pee for doping. Although it does help ease the loss,” Pegula drinking a can of beer at her post-match news conference.

“Seems like i am watching a table tennis match @janniksin vs @carlosalcaraz,” Former Spanish player Feliciano Lopez on Twitter watching the Alcaraz v Sinner quarter-final.

Fallen seeds

Women: Jessica Pegula (8), Karolina Pliskova (22)
Men: Andrey Rublev (9), Jannik Sinner (11)

US Open day 10 results

Men

Quarter-finals

Carlos Alcaraz (ESP x3) bt Jannik Sinner (ITA x11) 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-7 (0/7), 7-5, 6-3

Frances Tiafoe (USA x22) bt Andrey Rublev (x9) 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/0), 6-4

Women

Quarter-finals

Iga Swiatek (POL x1) bt Jessica Pegula (USA x8) 6-3, 7-6 (7/4)

Aryna Sabalenka (x6) bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE x22) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4)

Who’s up next?

The night session on Thursday will see the two women’s finalists decided.

Caroline Garcia and Ons Jabeur will both bid to reach their first grand slam final in the opening match before Swiatek meets Sabalenka.

In the men’s doubles semi-finals, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will look to set up a battle of Britain with their respective partners Rajeev Ram and Wesley Koolhof.

Carlos Alcaraz

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