Alcaraz into US Open quarter-finals as Krejcikova escapes

Carlos Alcaraz marched into the quarterfinals of the US Open on Sunday with two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova staging a miraculous escape to advance to the last eight.

Spanish second seed Alcaraz, the 2022 champion, stayed on course for a semi-final showdown against Novak Djokovic after overpowering France's Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets.

The 22-year-old five-time Grand Slam champion was made to work hard in a tight first set but eventually pulled away to win 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

"I think my style of tennis suits pretty well the energy here in New York," said Alcaraz, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament.

"The energy is special playing the day session, playing the night session. It doesn't matter, people are always there. I love it and I think that's why I play my best tennis here," he added.

Alcaraz has now booked a spot in the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams in the same season for the first time. He also becomes the youngest man in the Open Era to reach 13 major quarterfinals. Jiri Lehecka is next for him after the Czech defeated another French player in Adrian Mannarino. 

In the women's draw, the Czech Republic's unseeded former French Open and Wimbledon champion Krejcikova conjured a remarkable escape to oust Taylor Townsend, saving an incredible eight match points before digging out a 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory.

Krejcikova fought off a match point on her own serve at 5-4 down in the second set, and then somehow survived seven match points in an enthralling tie-breaker to move on.

"What a match," said Krejcikova, who revealed she had wondered if she would ever play tennis again after missing the opening months of the season with a back injury.

"I was sidelined for six months and didn't know if I would ever play again. I'm super happy I can be here." 

Krejcikova will face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals.