US Open: Carlos Alcaraz Garfia wins ‘staggering’ quarterfinal against Jannik Sinner

Two of the sport’s hottest youngsters have treated New York to a simply unbelievable display, breaking all-time records in a match not seen in 141 years.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz Garfia has progressed to the US Open semi final after a stunning five-set display against Jannik Sinner, in a match that went deep into the night at Flushing Meadows.

Third seed Alcaraz broke away in the final set to bury his Italian counterpart 6-3, leaving the final scoreboard at 3-6 7-6 7-6 5-7 6-3.

The tennis world was in awe at the quarterfinal display, which finished close to 3am local time, officially making it the longest running game ever witnessed at the US Open in 141 years.

“It was a match for the ages,” Todd Woodbridge said on the Nine Network’s coverage.

“It was only a quarter-final, it was worthy of a final.”

The thrilling 5hr 15min duel saw the 19-year-old Alcaraz claim his well-deserved spot in the final four, setting up a showdown with Frances Tiafoe of the United States on Friday.

The previous record for the latest finish to a US Open match was 2:26am, which had been set three times before.

Incredibly, it was the second early-hours-of-the-morning finish for Alcaraz this week.

The Spanish World No. 3 seed had edged past Croatia’s Marin Cilic in another five-set epic in the fourth round in a match that finished at 2.23am local time on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I still don‘t know how I did it,” Alcaraz said on-court after the marathon, heaping praise on his opponent.

“The level that I played, the level of the match, a high quality of tennis. It‘s unbelievable, the match today.

“Jannik Sinner is a good player. His level is just amazing.”

CARLOS ALCARAZ IS HIM

5 hours and 15 minutes, maybe the greatest tennis match ever. What did we just watch????? pic.twitter.com/gEjOQDQRwg

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) September 8, 2022

I'm honestly just staggered. That's one of the best tennis matches I've ever seen, certainly. Completely blown away by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 8, 2022

Alcaraz, wait for it … INCREDIBLE #USOpenpic.twitter.com/Yzox8ncXkV

— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 8, 2022

Alcaraz got off to a smooth start after taking the first set 6-3, breaking Sinner twice towards the end of the set to to seize an early advantage.

But Sinner showed great character to level in the second set, recovering from 5-6, 0-40 down to force a tie break.

Alcaraz had a fourth set point at 7-6 in the breaker but Sinner got it back to 7-7 with an ace and then converted on set point at 8-7 to level the match at one set apiece after an Alcaraz unforced error.

Another hard fought battle followed in the third set, Alcaraz finally gaining the crucial advantage with a break in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead.

Once again though Sinner remained unflustered and restored parity to force another tie break.

The thrilling 5hr 15min duel saw the 19-year-old Alcaraz claim his well-deserved spot in the final four, setting up a showdown with Frances Tiafoe of the United States on Friday.

This time Alcaraz was slow to adjust and Sinner sprinted into a 6-0 lead before taking the set when an Alcaraz return drifted long.

Sinner carried his momentum into the fourth set with an early break and looked to be in control after holding to take a 3-1 lead.

But Alcaraz again staged another fightback and after holding serve broke Sinner to level at 3-3 with a blistering forehand down the line.

Yet the Spaniard’s grit in restoring parity went out the window when Sinner broke back immediately, Alcaraz double-faulting on break point to gift his opponent a break and a 4-3 lead.

The match was the longest ever witnessed at the US Open in 141 years.

That led to Sinner serving for the match at 5-4, and it appeared as if a thrilling duel was about to reach its conclusion when the Italian moved to match point.

But Alcaraz clawed it back to deuce with a backhand return before Sinner then double-faulted to cough up a break point.

On the next point Sinner lashed a forehand way wide to leave the score at 5-5. Alcaraz then held and broke to force the fifth set decider.

Still there was more drama in store in the fifth, with Sinner going a break up. But Alcaraz would not be denied, hitting back with two breaks to set up a remarkable win.

Originally published as US Open: Carlos Alcaraz Garfia wins ‘staggering’ quarterfinal against Jannik Sinner