rewrite this title US Open live: Alcaraz v Lehecka score before Venus Williams in doubles action

Vondrousova’s match against Sabalenka had been scheduled in the first match of the night session on Arthur Ashe Arena. The US Open said a revised schedule for tonight’s session would follow.

Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz were scheduled to play in the second match of the night session, but there is also Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez’s doubles match against top seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova to consider.

Marketa Vondrousova has pulled out of her US Open quarter-final against Aryna Sabalenka due to injury, giving the World No 1 a walkover into the next round.

Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion who missed last year’s US Open due to injury, had beaten Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina to reach the quarter-finals.

Defending champion Sabalenka goes through to play fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals, in a rematch of last year’s US Open final.

If Carlos Alcaraz plays Jannik Sinner in the US Open final, the men’s No 1 ranking will be on the line as well as the title.

But Alcaraz admits that thinking about the No 1 spot would be too much pressure to go along with the nerves of a grand slam tournament.

“It’s really difficult not to think about it. Every time I step on court I try not to think about it.

“If I think about the No 1 spot too much I’m gonna put pressure on myself. I just want to step on the court and try to do my thing.

“Follow my goals on the match. Try to enjoy as much as I can. The No 1 is there but I’m trying not to think much about it.”

Venus Williams revealed that Serena is “coaching from afar” during her US Open mixed doubles run.

“She’s so excited. She gets so nervous watching, and she’s got the kids watching, they’re all at home, just really on our side.

“We’ve got like three coaches now. Serena’s on the coaching team.”

Venus Williams called on her sister Serena Williams to “show up” for her next match at the US Open after reaching the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles with Leylah Fernandez.

Williams, 45, took a wildcard into the tournament but continued her run with 22-year-old Canadian Fernandez as they defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai 6-3 6-4 at a packed Louis Armstrong Stadium on Monday.

Will we see an appearance from Serena shortly?

After back-to-back straight-sets wins, there’s now no play on Arthur Ashe Stadium until 7pm local time when Aryna Sabalenka plays Marketa Vondrousova. That will be followed by Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz.

On Louis Armstrong, Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez will be in action shortly against Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.

They follow the match between Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, and the Italian pair have just won the set 6-1.

Alcaraz made 28 winners to just 17 unforced errors in defeating Lehecka. Sublime.

Alcaraz also won 84 per cent of his first-serve points, and he did not face a break point.

Alcaraz pulls out his now trademark golf celebration after returning to the US Open semi-finals.

The Spaniard is through to the semi-finals of a grand slam without dropping a set for the first time.

He’s been in brilliant form so far but that performances against Lehecka was the best yet.

Alcaraz has two days off now before his semi-final on Friday.

He says he will “100 per cent” be playing golf during one of those days, and confirms he will be playing with Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who is watching courtside on Arthur Ashe.

Alcaraz is through to his ninth grand slam semi-final, and his third at the US Open. He will play either Novak Djokovic or Taylor Fritz… yes please!