US Open: Golf on off-days working wonders as Carlos Alcaraz storms into semis

Carlos Alcaraz’s secret weapon off the court might just be helping him on it. After breezing past Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the US Open men’s singles quarter-final, the Spaniard revealed that his off-days on the golf course are sharpening his focus and keeping his mind fresh for high-stakes matches.

Against Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals, Alcaraz displayed the kind of composure and focus that only a clear mind can bring. Even as the talented Czech star threatened a few times in the first and third sets, Alcaraz’s stamina, technique, and awareness kept him in control from start to finish.

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“It’s something that's working well so why should I change that routine...Every day off I go and try to play some golf,” Alcaraz said after the win, hinting that another round with former Masters champion Sergio Garcia could be on the cards before his semi-final clash.

On court, Alcaraz hardly let the golf-inspired relaxation slip. He dominated the match from the start, winning 84% of his first-serve points, breaking Lehecka four times, and hitting 28 winners. Lehecka had a couple of glimpses in the first and third sets but could never truly threaten the Spaniard, who displayed superior stamina, court awareness, and technical brilliance throughout the 1-hour and 56-minute encounter.

Alcaraz committed just 17 unforced errors compared to Leheckka’s 23, and the Czech could not capitalise on any of his four aces. Leheckka managed four aces but could never find a consistent rhythm, making 23 unforced errors.

The victory marks Alcaraz’s ninth Grand Slam semi-final appearance and third at Flushing Meadows, keeping his unbeaten set streak alive as he chases a sixth major title. Next, he’ll keep a close eye on the Taylor Fritz vs Novak Djokovic quarter-final to know who he’ll face in the semis.