Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning run at the U.S. Open came to a sudden and surprising end on Tuesday night when the 18-year-old from Spain retired from his quarterfinal match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada midway through the second set.
Auger-Aliassime took the first set, 6-3, and was leading 3-1 in the second set when Alcaraz approached the umpire and informed him that he was retiring from the match with an injury.
“I was expecting a tough battle,” a surprised Auger-Aliassime said of Alcaraz who, but for a handful of points, played the Canadian nearly to a draw in the first set.