Alcaraz cruises again as Pegula credits escape room for US Open success

NEW YORK :Carlos Alcaraz proved he can dazzle crowds at any time of day, cruising past Arthur Rinderknech in Sunday's U.S. Open fourth round, while Jessica Pegula credited an escape room outing and a couple of drinks for overcoming a mid-tournament crisis.

The Spanish second seed showed his trademark flair on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the second straight day session, treating the crowd to a behind-the-back trick shot that quickly went viral on social media.

Alcaraz's showmanship was matched by substance, defeating Rinderknech 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4 with clinical precision to extend his perfect record at this year's tournament without dropping a set.

"The energy is special playing the day session, playing the night session, it doesn't matter," said the five-times major winner, who smacked 36 winners past the Frenchman.

"That's why I just play my best tennis here in New York."

Fourth seed Pegula continued her own flawless run by dismantling compatriot Ann Li 6-1 6-2, but revealed she nearly abandoned practice entirely during the tournament after a disastrous Wednesday session with top seed Aryna Sabalenka.

"I felt terrible coming into this tournament, honestly. I had a practice Wednesday, I think I hit with Sabalenka. She killed me. I was playing terrible," said Pegula.

"Then we went out for a second hour, and I stopped halfway through the hour and was, like, 'I'm done, this isn't good. I don't know why I'm out here practicing'."

Last year's runner-up found her solution away from the courts with an unconventional reset strategy.

"Went and did an escape room with my friends and had like two drinks and was, like, 'I need to just chill and stop getting so frustrated and over-thinking all these practices'," she said.

The change in tack seems