'Sad end': Teen suffers heartbreak after sparkling US Open run
Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz has retired hurt against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the US Open men's quarter-final clash.
Alcaraz was one of the teen trio - with Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu - to make waves at the US Open this year.
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The Spaniard has endured two tough five-setters in a row before coming up against the in-form Auger-Aliassime.
And the 21-year-old Canadian immediately showed it wasn't going to be an easy night for the 18-year-old Spaniard after taking the first set 6-3.
But, the Spaniard appeared to slow down in the second and at 3-1 down, Alcaraz called it quits due to an apparent abdominal injury.
Auger-Aliassime showed class at the net as he embraced the disappointed Spaniard, who became the youngest men's quarter-finalist since Michael Chang in 1990 (and the youngest in the Open Era).
Fans were also left shattered for the teen who was unable to continue.
A tough scene in Ashe as Carlos Alcaraz retires with an injury.
Get well soon, @alcarazcarlos03 pic.twitter.com/0OaMv6M0Bu— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2021
Oh no.
Carlitos Alcaraz has to retire down 3-6, 1-3 due to some adductor injury.
Felix Auger-Aliassime into his first career Grand Slam semifinal at 21yo. Will face Medvedev pic.twitter.com/vlor8i1Id8— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 8, 2021
Felix Auger-Aliassime begins his press conference by congratulating the 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz on a terrific tournament.
"What he's done here hasn't been done in the Open Era."
A class act. #USOpen— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) September 8, 2021
Huge shame to see Alcaraz Garfia retire with injury... he's the future of tennis. It's good that he listens to his body's limits instead of being taciturn like a lot of players on tour and fighting through it. He's young and has many years ahead of him on tour, best to stay fit.
— Mason (@masonryrafan) September 8, 2021
Felt sorry to see a sad end to #Alcaraz’s dream run at #USOpen He played exceptionally well during the tournament until he had to retire hurt from today’s game. Tough luck! Hopefully, he’ll come stronger next year.
— Archana (@TravelSeeWrite) September 8, 2021
Grand Slam night sessions, so hard to predict what time fans will be heading home
Last night: the 3 am bus after Andreescu & Sakkari push each other toward the morning-coffee hour
Tonight: the 10:30 pm bus after Carlos Alcaraz taps out in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 8, 2021
Auger-Aliassime, who reached the quarter-final of Wimbledon earlier this year, will now face his biggest test in the form of Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final.
Layleh Fernandez creates US Open history
Earlier, Fernandez was able to go one-step further and reach the semi-final of the US Open grand slam at just 19 years old.
Fernandez, who only turned 19 on Monday, dealt with remarkable pressure in her first ever slam quarter-final to defeat 5th seed Elina Svitolina 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 with the match lasting three hours.
With the win, Fernandez became the youngest woman to defeat two WTA Top-5 players at the same Grand Slam since Serena Williams in 1999.
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