Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev in US Open QF, jokes "I'll be back," as NBA star Jimmy Butler confirms SF presence

NBA star Jimmy Butler and singer J Balvin support Carlos Alcaraz in his US Open run, promising to watch his potential semifinal match.

NBA star Jimmy Butler and Colombian singer J Balvin recently had an exciting encounter with Carlos Alcaraz during his 2023 US Open campaign. The two celebrities, sporting cowboy hats, commended Alcaraz for his outstanding performance, with Butler even promising to return on Friday to witness his potential semifinal match.

Alcaraz, the defending champion, has been a dominant force in the tournament thus far. The 20-year-old prodigy showcased his skills by defeating Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets during the fourth round on Monday.

The US Open's official Twitter account shared a video of their meeting, capturing the warm greetings between Alcaraz, Butler, and Balvin. In the clip, Alcaraz can be seen exchanging smiles and hugs with the celebrities. Butler expressed his intention to come back on Friday, eagerly anticipating Alcaraz's bid to defend his title.

In a lighthearted banter, Alcaraz jokingly mentioned his confidence in winning his upcoming quarterfinal match against Alexander Zverev on Wednesday. The camaraderie between the athletes and celebrities added an element of fun and excitement to the event.

Butler surprised everyone by dressing up as a ball boy and participating in a charity exhibition match between Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe. The event, named "Stars of the Open," aimed to raise funds for humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Before the match, Butler underwent training with the US Open ball crew, learning the intricacies of rolling, feeding, and collecting balls. He even had the opportunity to rally with Alcaraz and impressively won a point with a clever lob shot, leaving the Spaniard astonished.

The charity match was a delight for fans, providing entertainment while raising $320,000 for a worthy cause.

Looking ahead, top seed Carlos Alcaraz is set to face 12th seed Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open on Wednesday. Alcaraz has been in exceptional form, dropping only one set in his previous four matches against formidable opponents such as Matteo Arnaldi, Dan Evans, Lloyd Harris, and Dominik Koepfer.

In contrast, Zverev has faced a tougher journey to the quarterfinals. The 26-year-old had to overcome challenges from Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set match, as well as Grigor Dimitrov, Daniel Altmaier, and Aleksandar Vukic in earlier rounds.

The upcoming clash between Alcaraz and Zverev promises to be an intriguing battle of contrasting styles and personalities. Alcaraz, known for his fiery competitiveness, relies on his powerful forehand and aggressive baseline game to dictate rallies. On the other hand, Zverev is a composed and versatile player, capable of mixing up his shots with a strong serve and backhand.

Having faced each other five times previously, Zverev holds a slight advantage with a 3-2 head-to-head record. However, Carlos Alcaraz will undoubtedly be determined to continue his fairy-tale run and secure a spot in his fourth Grand Slam semifinal.

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