Carlos Alcaraz is on course to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to defend the US Open men's singles title.
It's been the toughest feat to pull off for close to 15 years, not even Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have won the US Open multiple times before have been able to defend their crowns in subsequent years. Federer won five of his US Open titles in successive years between 2004 -2008.
Carlos Alcaraz is on course to emulate one of his childhood admirers in that regard after a fine four-set win over in-form Brit Dan Evans under the scorching New York sun on Saturday. Alcaraz converted six of his 17 break points to win 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in just over three hours.
Alcaraz is projected to meet second seed Novak Djokovic who has replaced him as the World No. 1 in the live rankings, but is not setting his sights there just yet and is taking one match at a time. But the opportunity to replicate one of the rarest title defenses is something that is playing on his mind.
"Of course, I watch the draw and see the opponents I can play against. Obviously, I am focused day by day. Obviously defending the title here is a goal for me, I'm looking for that. Obviously, I know that the only man, I think nobody else defended the title here since Roger Federer. So I would love to be part of the tournament history here with Roger to defend the title, as I said it's my main goal and I'm looking for that."
The top-seeded Alcaraz will face a surprise name in the fourth round as he is set to face Italy's Matteo Arnaldi who upset 16th seed Cameron Norrie to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.
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