Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic both booked their place in the quarter-final of the US Open with a pair of dominant round of 16 wins.

Both Alcaraz and Djokovic eased into the last eight after straight set victories over Matteo Arnaldi and Borna Gojo respectively.

Arnaldi struggled throughout his clash with Alcaraz and while he did break the Spaniard early in the third set. However, the Wimbledon champion recovered and ultimately powered to victory in less than two hours.

“I think the intensity from the beginning until the last ball pleased me,” said the 20-year-old Wimbledon champion.

“I played a really solid match, less mistakes, I played my game. I’m really happy with the performance.”

As for Djokovic, he cruised into the quarter-final in similarly easy fashion with a three-set win over the Croatian qualifier Gojo.

With the win, the Serb reached a grand-slam final for the 57th time in his career which, one behind record holder Roger Federer who reached 58th quarter-finals during his illustrious career.

I saw that he’s a big-shot player, his serve and forehand are big weapons, he moves pretty well for a big guy, so the key points for me were to neutralise his serve.”

Djokovic has had a very agreeable draw in New York but he faces American ninth seed Taylor Fritz on Tuesday.

He added: “You know, obviously the matches are only going to get tougher from now onwards, and I’m ready.”

Alexander Zverev overcame Jannik Sinner in a marathon five-set thriller played out in sapping humidity to win 6-4 3-6 6-2 4-6 6-3.

Germany’s world number 12 Zverev, ranked six places below his Italian opponent, prevailed after four hours and 41 minutes to reach his 10th quarter-final and now faces Alcaraz.

Sinner struggled physically in the stifling conditions throughout the second and third sets, but dug deep in the fourth to take the match to a decider.

Zverev, who returned from a serious ankle injury at the turn of the year, said: “I guess I can say I’m back, right?

“I wish I could have played a little bit shorter, that’s for sure, but to be honest this is one of the best moments of my career, I think.

“After my comeback, after everything, so I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

Big-serving Ben Shelton blew away fellow American Tommy Paul to lead the home charge into the quarter-finals.

The 20-year-old from Atlanta fired down two 149mph serves in one game on his way to a 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory.

“I think it was straight adrenaline,” he said. “In any other atmosphere I don’t think I could get it done. I think my arm would fall off, but it’s feeling good right now.”

The record fastest serve at the US Open is still held by Andy Roddick, who hit a 152mph thunderbolt on his way to the title in 2003 – the last time an American man won their home slam.

It was sweet revenge for Shelton, who was knocked out by Paul at the same stage of the Australian Open in January.

He added: “I really learned how to be mentally tough. When I was playing in Australia after a long week, I was looking at my box saying ‘my legs are dead, I’m tired, I can’t go anymore’.

“I realised how important it is to believe in myself, believe that I can go all the way, the full distance emotionally and physically and now I have that belief here.”

Shelton will play 10th seed Frances Tiafoe, guaranteeing at least one American man in the semi-finals.

Tiafoe beat Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, 6-4 6-1 6-4.

“It’s a shame that two of us have to play in the quarter-finals. Maybe we could have three in the semis,” added Shelton.

Fritz beat Dominic Stricker of Switzerland in three sets to make the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

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