Alcaraz Can Hold The First Tennis Title Without Losing A Set At The US Open

JAKARTA - Carlos Alcaraz has the opportunity to make history as the first tennis player in the modern era or Open to win the US Open without losing a set.

The Spaniard has not lost a set in six games in New York and has lost just 58 games in 18 sets, with an average of more than three games per set, and he only needs two tie-breaks.

"For me, this is extraordinary. This is something I'm trying to do, consistency in matches, tournaments, and this year as a whole," Alcaraz quoted Antara as saying.

"Not experiencing ups and downs in the game. My level of play at the start of the game, I just want to keep that level high during the game."

"So I think I did that in this tournament, and I'm very proud. Yes, let's see. But maybe I'm getting older. I'm just starting to get to know myself better, what I need on and off the pitch," said the 22-year-old tennis player.

"The things I do off the pitch in my opinion, I do very, very well, which is very helpful, and to play my best tennis. I think it's getting better."

Only five men in the Open era won major tournaments without losing a set. They are Ken Rosewall at the 1971 Australian Open, Ilie Nastase at the 1973 Roland Garros, Bjorn Borg at the 1976 Wimbledon and Roland Garros twice, Roger Federer at the 2007 Australian Open and 2017 Wimbledon, and Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros four times.

Alcaraz is the fifth winner of major tournaments. He lost at least four sets on his way to the Grand Slam title when he won at Wimbledon in 2023.

The second seed will face Jannik Sinner or Felix Auger-Aliassime to fight for the trophy.

The last tennis player to win a tournament without losing a set was Neale Fraser in 1960, when the tournament became known as the US Championship, and was not open to professionals.