Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz avoids wardrobe malfunction and eases into US Open fourth round
Carlos Alcaraz covered his modesty as he cruised into the fourth round of the US Open.
The Spaniard’s baggy sleeveless top has been raising eyebrows this week as it occasionally revealed a nipple during matches.
The sight even prompted former player-turned-pundit Genie Bouchard to post on social media: “Love you Carlos but we’ve got to put the nip away.”
So Alcaraz fixed his malfunctioning wardrobe by wearing a skin-tight vest underneath as he beat China’s Wu Yibing 6-3 6-4 6-1 in a two hours and 19 minutes.
The 23-year-old said: “Well, I think I saw my nipple too much lately. I felt like, you know, I could hide it for at least once match.
“I feel really comfortable, you know, with another shirt. So I think I’m going to stay like that.
“Maybe, you know, the second round was, a little bit distracting for me, but not that much.”
Alcaraz, back to defend his title after four months out with a wrist injury, has surprised himself with how well he is playing.
“I think today was a really high rhythm, the way he played was unbelievable,” he added.
“I played aggressive, I played smart in the toughest moments which I’m really happy about. I did everything good. Could be better, but I’m proud of the performance today.
“To be honest I’m better than I thought. I thought I would be dead after the first match, but I’m recovering really well. Right now my level is really good.”
In the fourth round Alcaraz will play American Tommy Paul, the former Queen’s Club champion, who came through a titanic five-setter with Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik.
“He’s going to play at home which is going to be an advantage for him,” added Alcaraz. “But hopefully he will be a bit tired from today’s match.”
Russian seventh seed Daniil Medvedev beat France’s Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-4 6-4 while, in the women’s draw, third-seeded American Jessica Pegula recovered from a disastrous first set to knock out former runner-up Leylah Fernandez 1-6 6-4 6-3.
