NEW YORK — In a dazzling display at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz executed an incredible behind-the-back shot that clinched a point, ultimately securing a 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Arthur Rinderknech. With this win, the Spanish sensation has now become the youngest male player in the Open era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarterfinals.
“I do practice it occasionally, I won’t lie,” confessed Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, reflecting on his moment of brilliance in the first set. “However, it’s not something I do extensively. If the chance arises during practice or a match, I seize it!”
At just 22 years and 3 months, Alcaraz is half a year younger than Boris Becker was when he achieved his 13th major quarterfinal.
Next up for Alcaraz is No. 20 Jiri Lehecka, a 23-year-old from the Czech Republic who reached his second Slam quarterfinal with a victory over Adrian Mannarino — 7-6 (4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
Kicking off against Rinderknech, the French player and former Texas A&M college tennis star, Alcaraz impressively leveled the score with a spectacular love hold. During a pivotal point, he found himself in a tricky situation when Rinderknech managed to wrong-foot him.
Yet, with finesse, Alcaraz swung his racket around his body, executing a stunning shot up the line (see it here ).
Surprised that the rally wasn’t over, Rinderknech netted his volley, prompting a wide smile from Alcaraz as he glanced at his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, in the stands. Grinning, he playfully placed his right index finger behind his ear, acknowledging the enthusiastic crowd.
“I love the crowd’s energy; it complements my style of play perfectly,” said Alcaraz, clearly relishing the experience.
Alcaraz clinched the first set in a tiebreaker, and soon after, during the second set, he wowed the audience again with a no-look passing winner. He dashed forward to intercept a short ball, pretending to target Rinderknech’s backhand before cleverly redirecting a forehand cross-court.
By the final game, even Rinderknech couldn’t help but smile at Alcaraz’s extraordinary skills, a player who has dominated with 54 out of 55 successful service games across four matches this year at Flushing Meadows. Alcaraz captured his inaugural Grand Slam title here in 2022 and has since added four more to his collection.
This is Alcaraz’s fourth major quarterfinal of 2025, marking the first time he has gone 4 for 4 in such appearances within a single season. Earlier this year, he lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, triumphed at the French Open in June, and fell to No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final in July.
For Rinderknech, this match marked his first appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.
