"I refuse to sleep and miss this one" - Coco Gauff, Stan Wawrinka and tennis world react to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's epic US Open quarterfinal

After taking the opening set, Alcaraz could have closed out a win in three sets or four but instead found himself match point down on Sinner's serve. To his credit, though, the Spaniard broke twice to force a decider.

With the shot-making from both players hitting an insane level, Sinner once again rued squandering a break of serve in the fifth as Alcaraz reigned supreme in a 5-hour 15-minute classic. At 2:49 am local time, it also marked the latest finish to a US Open match.

Alcaraz is now into his first Major semifinal and is potentially a win away from becoming the first teenager in ATP history to become the World No. 1. That will happen if the Spaniard reaches the final, and Casper Ruud doesn't. If both men reach the title match, the winner will be crowned the No. 1.

Meanwhile, here are the reactions from the tennis world - both former and active players - after a match for the ages between two of the game's potential superstars:

Carlos Alcaraz will now take on home favorite Frances Tiafoe for a place in the final, a match that could be another epic battle.

Carlos Alcaraz on the cusp of more history in a banner year

Carlos Alcaraz entered the US Open as one of five players who could leave New York as the world's top-ranked player.

However, with Rafael Nadal, defending champion Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas failing to reach the last eight, Alcaraz and Casper Ruud are the only players in contention for the No. 1 ranking. Both men need to reach the final to stand a chance of doing so.

In what has been a banner year for Alcaraz, having won two Masters 1000 titles and reaching a first Major semifinal, the Spaniard is now two wins away from becoming only the second teenager to win the US Open.

The Spaniard is the youngest back-to-back quarterfinalist in New York. Pete Sampras (1990) remains the only teenager to win at Flushing Meadows. Alcaraz is already assured of breaking into the top three next week, and it would get better still if he wins his first Grand Slam title, which will confirm him as the new No. 1 in the ATP rankings.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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