Carlos Alcaraz reaches US Open quarterfinal with late-night win against Marin Cilic
Carlos Alcaraz and Marin Cilic are still searching for their first Grand Slam title this year, but the former World No. 1 came through when things were most serious. Alcaraz reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal after holding his match point down to the last match point at 7-2, then winning two deciding doubles rubbers to reach the semifinals.
Cilic played through the first set of his quarterfinal against Marcel Granollers, but gave in deep in the second when it looked like he might be beaten. Cilic made the most of it, though, and played brilliantly to edge his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal.
While Alcaraz had a tough battle on his hands Sunday night, Cilic was able to reach the final round in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career. It was a first-round win over Argentine qualifier Ariel Behar, and this will give him his second Grand Slam singles title.
In other news, Andy Roddick had his match-up with world No. 1 Roger Federer on Saturday, winning 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-0, 7-6(7) to reach his first semifinal in his career. Roddick’s win was not enough to overtake Federer, who had already defeated top seed Juan Martin del Potro in five sets, but it was enough to get to the last four.
The man known to most fans as Andy’s twin brother, John, will face Robin Soderling in the semifinals, looking for his first career Grand Slam singles final.
With the win, Roddick earned $1 million for the week. The money is a small consolation for the first-seeded Roddick, who was a bit muddled in his match against Federer, unable to serve effectively. The win for Roddick was his third straight, and first since he
