(New York) Carlos Alcaraz easily defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of the United States Tennis Open in a third year in a row.

The favourite, who is trying to defend his title after winning the Wimbledon tournament in July, said he now prefers to play on hard courts and enjoys performing under the roof of the Arthur-Ashe Stadium. Seemed to be the case against Arnaldi, a 61-ranked Italiane to the world that had no answer to the power of Alcaraz.

Alcaraz, 20, became the youngest player to reach the round of eight three times since 1968. Andre Agassi is the only other to do so before age 21.

The Spaniard will now face the winner of the duel between Jannik Sinner (sixth) and Alexander Zverev (12e) in the evening.

On the women’s side, Madison Keys outscored fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour.

PHOTO KENA BETANCUR, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Madison Keys

Keys, 17e seeded and runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2017, won 77% of the points contested on his first serve. She used her power from the bottom of the court to keep rallies short – just over three shots on average – and she quickly disposed of her good friend, who was the third seed.

“We both want to win and it’s never personal on the court,” Keys said.

For Pegula, this is another disappointing Grand Slam result. She reached the quarter-finals at each of the four major tournaments, but never made it past that stage.

In the quarter-finals, Keys will face the Czech and ninth seed Marketa Vondrousova. The latter came from behind to defeat American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-2.


PHOTO SETH WENIG, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Marketa Vondrousova

Vondrousova is aiming for a second straight major title, having triumphed at Wimbledon in July.

“I didn’t expect this after Wimbledon. There’s a lot of pressure, Vondrousova noted. We’ll see what will happen. »

In other matches scheduled for Monday at Flushing Meadows, Aryna Sabalenka, who will become the new queen of women’s tennis following the elimination of current Iga Swiatek, will face Daria Kasatkina (13e).

In the evening, Daniil Medvedev (third) will cross swords with Alex de Minaur (13e).