US Open: Alcaraz clinches victory against Sinner after over 5hrs of play

Carlos Alcaraz, a 19-year-old from Spain, defeated Italian Jannik Sinner in a nail-biting US Open match that finished at a record-breaking 2.50 am in New York to advance to his first major semifinal.

The teenage star defeated the 11th seed Sinner in a thrilling match by saving a match point and winning 6-3 6-7 (7-9) 6-7 (0-7) 7-5 6-3.

The third seed must defeat Frances Tiafoe on Friday to advance to Sunday’s championship.

The 24-year-old American defeated Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0) 6-4 to advance to his first major semifinal.

“I still don’t know how I did it. The level I played of high-quality tennis. It’s unbelievable,” said Alcaraz, who is the youngest man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open.

“I always say you have to believe in yourself all the time. Hope is the last thing you use. I believed in myself, my game.”

In the men’s singles event at Flushing Meadows, a first-time Grand Slam victor is already assured, with Karen Khachanov of Russia and Casper Ruud of Norway vying for the other semifinal spot.

As the exciting tournament nears its conclusion, Alcaraz and Ruud, both 23, have a chance to become the new world number one.

More than 10 hours had passed since the last quarterfinal ended, but Tiafoe joked that he hoped Sinner and Alcaraz’s match would be “marathon and super-long” after his victory.

His wish came true after an extraordinary night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.