Alcaraz cruises into US Open fourth round, shrugs Off Knee Scare

Carlos Alcaraz won against Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 on Friday evening

29 August 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2025 | © Zuma / PsNewz

US Open •Third round • Completed

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, asserted his dominance at the US Open on Friday, advancing to the last 16 with a commanding 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Italian Luciano Darderi, the No. 32 seed. The win, which came in a brisk 1 hour and 44 minutes at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, was a showcase of Alcaraz’s form.

Following his match against Darderi, Alcaraz addressed a minor knee concern that arose during the second set. “It’s just a precaution that I asked for the physio,” Alcaraz said, allaying any fears. “I’m feeling good. When he broke my serve, I felt something in the knee, but after five or six points it was gone.” He added, “I just played such great tennis, great performance in general, so I’m just really proud about it.”

With this comfortable win, the world No. 2 will now face Arthur Rinderknech of France in the round of 16. Rinderknech, ranked No. 82, defeated fellow Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Having previously beaten Italian Mattia Bellucci and American Reilly Opelka, Alcaraz has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

Alcaraz’s performance was marked by a relentless offensive, highlighted by his 31 winners, a stark contrast to Darderi’s 12. The Spaniard’s serve was a major weapon, as he fired down nine aces and won 79% of his first-serve points and 57% on his second.

80th Grand Slam win for Alcaraz

While Darderi did manage to break Alcaraz’s serve once, it was a rare moment of success for the Italian, as Alcaraz converted on seven of his own break opportunities. Darderi’s struggle was further compounded by his eight double faults. The final set was a masterclass in efficiency, with Alcaraz delivering a bagel to close out the match.

The victory marks the 80th Grand Slam match win for the 22-year-old Alcaraz, a remarkable feat that places him in an exclusive club of players. It also brought his 2025 season record to an impressive 57 wins against just six losses, with six titles already to his name. This season, he has been on a sensational 42-2 run since April.

Alcaraz’s journey at the US Open is one of both early success and recent challenges. A former champion in 2022 and a semifinalist in 2023, he has reached at least the quarterfinal stage in his first three appearances at Flushing Meadows. He became the first teenager since Pete Sampras in 1990 to win the men’s singles title, and subsequently the youngest-ever world No. 1.

New York (Grand Slam), other third-round results (USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hard, USD 90.000.000, most recent results first):