Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the fourth round of the US Open on Friday – but not before sparking concern by calling for treatment on his right knee.
The No 2 seed, who has been imperious so far this week in New York, called for a medical timeout during the second set against Luciano Darderi.
The Spaniard appeared to be limping slightly shortly before the trainer came on court and treated his upper leg for several minutes.
Alcaraz led 6-2 5-4 at the time of the stoppage and he was healthy enough to resume the match and immediately seal the second set with a break.
In fact, the world No 2 won the next six games before Darderi called for a medical timeout of his own. The 32nd seed lasted only one more game, with Alcaraz sealing a 6-2 6-4 6-0 win.
After the game, Alcaraz revealed that he ‘felt something’ in his knee but that he called for the physio as a precaution. ‘I’m feeling good,’ he insisted.
Carlos Alcaraz reached the US Open fourth round despite needing treatment on his right knee
‘After five or six points (the problem) was gone,’ he explained. ‘Don’t worry about it.
It is not the first time in recent months that Alcaraz has experienced issues with his upper right leg. The 2022 US Open champion returned to the court in May following a brief injury layoff.
Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open due to a problem with the top of his right leg that troubled him during the Barcelona Open final. He also had a left leg injury.
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