Carlos Alcaraz praised for having something which Coco Gauff does not right now as he makes it through at the US Open

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Carlos Alcaraz was looking to book his place in the US Open semis for the third time in his career.

Taking down Arthur Rinderknech in round four, Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinals, where he faced Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka.

Maintaining his perfect record at the 2025 US Open, Alcaraz defeated Lehecka in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

The Spaniard was brilliant from start to finish, outclassing the ATP world number 21 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, former American star Ryan Harrison gave his verdict on Alcaraz’s performance.

Ryan Harrison thinks Carlos Alcaraz has found the ‘balance’ that Coco Gauff is struggling with

Harrison compared Alcaraz’s performance against Lehecka to Coco Gauff’s against Naomi Osaka, as the American star exited the US Open on Monday evening.

“He’s just found that balance. When you see that someone has that good balance, and they go into a match with that fresh mentality, they’re really excited about being on the court,” he said.

“You know, we talked about Coco Gauff’s exit. When you’re carrying something extra onto the court and you have that weight on your shoulders, it doesn’t allow you to play free. It doesn’t allow you to be your best.

“He’s found that balance. He’s got that fresh mind, he’s got that fresh enjoyment, and he brings it in the right way, every time, and it’s so impressive.

“And it’s easy to forget how young he is, to be doing it at this age, it’s remarkable.”

Gauff and Alcaraz both shot to the top of their respective tours at a young age, winning Grand Slam titles as teenagers.

However, of the pair, Alcaraz has enjoyed more success, winning five Grand Slams to Gauff’s two, as well as attaining the world number one ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s career achievements

• Grand Slam titles – 5
• Masters 1000 titles – 8
• ATP titles – 22
• Olympic medals – Silver (2024)
• Other titles – Next Gen Finals (2021)
• Career-high ranking – 1 (36 weeks)
• Current ranking – 2

Coco Gauff’s career achievements

• Grand Slam titles – 2
• WTA 1000 titles – 2
• WTA titles – 10
• Olympic medals – N/A
• Other titles – United Cup (2025)
• Career-high ranking – 2
• Current ranking – 3

Whether Gauff can reach the heights of Alcaraz remains to be seen, but if this year’s US Open is anything to go by, she could still have a way to go…

Carlos Alcaraz maintains perfect record at the US Open

Through to the semifinals, Alcaraz hasn’t dropped a set in New York and is the only quarterfinalist to hold that distinction.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the player with the next-best record is Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz’s biggest rival.

The pair have shared the previous seven Grand Slams between themselves and are currently ranked number one and two in the world.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam dominance

• 2024 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2024 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 Wimbledon – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 US Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2025 Wimbledon – Jannik Sinner

Many expect one of Alcaraz and Sinner to lift the title at Flushing Meadows on Sunday evening, and you can understand why.

It’s up to Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Lorenzo Musetti, and Alex de Minaur to stop them, although it looks like a tough ask.

Djokovic and Fritz, the two most experienced players remaining in the competition, haven’t had the comfortable ride through to the quarters that their younger rivals enjoyed.

The Serbian legend hasn’t looked 100% healthy at times, while Fritz has dropped two sets to players ranked outside the world’s top 150.

Only time will tell if anyone can stop Alcaraz and Sinner in New York, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.