Carlos Alcaraz breezed past Matteo Arnaldi to book his place in the US Open quarter-finals.

The world number one and defending champion won convincingly 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

British number one Cameron Norrie could be forgiven for thinking he had dodged a bullet after losing to Arnaldi in the previous round.

The Italian did manage a break at the start of the third but it was quickly snuffed out as Alcaraz raced to victory in under 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.”

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.”