Alcaraz, Djokovic stroll into US Open quarter-finals as Sabalenka cruises

NEW YORK, Sept 1, (AFP): Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic motored into the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday as reigning women's champion Aryna Sabalenka kept her title defence firmly on track.
Spanish second seed Alcaraz and tennis icon Djokovic -- who are on course to meet in the semi-finals -- both recorded straight-sets wins on the Arthur Ashe Stadium main court.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz overpowered France's Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-4 and has not dropped a set to date at the championships.
"I think my style of tennis suits pretty well the energy here in New York," the 22-year-old said.
"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 will face Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Lehecka reached the last eight of a Grand Slam for only the second time after battling past veteran Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
Djokovic, 38, continued his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title with a brisk 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 defeat of unseeded German Jan-Lennard Struff.
"It definitely helps if you serve well. I think I had a great serving performance last round and also tonight," said Djokovic. "That helps make it easier on the court."
Djokovic faces a quarter-final on Tuesday against fourth seed Taylor Fritz, the lone American man left in the draw.