You can rely on Dylan Alcott to find the positives in virtually any situation. The Australian, through to his third consecutive US Open quad singles final, is embracing the two-month spell bouncing between tennis bubbles in the US and Europe, even if he and partner Chantelle do miss new dachshund puppy Sauce while on the road.

“I feel really lucky to be here to be honest,” Alcott said. “For my family and friends, it’s really tough right now, and it’s a big tour. But I haven’t been away all year, so I’m enjoying it.”

For Alcott and his compatriots based near Tennis Australia’s headquarters in Melbourne, the city’s COVID-19 response has been particularly strict. Melbourne entered its second lockdown in July, with a 9pm to 5am curfew and a 5km travel limit in effect until at least the end of September. Those players who reached New York had to arrange government-approved clearance, and with a mandatory two-week quarantine period awaiting on his return home, the world No.1 is heading directly to France following his US Open campaign to ensure he can defend his Roland Garros crown.

“The last time that I spent six months straight in Australia, I would have been 14 years old,” said Alcott. “During the first lockdown in March you couldn’t play tennis, but by the second lockdown we got an exemption to train on court – there was no gym access or anything like that. Tennis Australia have been so supportive, as have the Australian government, and I know everyone is doing the right thing. Hopefully we can get back to some sort of normality soon.”

A second straight-sets victory in the round robin phase of this year’s US Open ensures Alcott of a place in Sunday’s singles final, the two-time former champion backing up his opening win against debutant Sam Schroder with a 6-1 7-6(4) victory over defending champion Andy Lapthorne.

“It was a tough one there in the second set today, so I was happy to get the win and get off court,” said Alcott, who recovered from 4-1 down to reach a tiebreak before finishing with a drive-volley flourish on his first match point.

“He plays a game that involves a lot of changes in pace, and sometimes out there you can lose concentration. I think I had a snooze out there after that first set, so I was glad to get out of there. It’ll be interesting tomorrow to see how he plays against Sam in their virtual semi-final, elimination match, and I’m looking forward to the final on Sunday.”

Alcott was at the forefront of the drive to reinstate wheelchair tennis at this year’s COVID-affected US Open, which is being played with a reduced number of events, including the absence of mixed doubles and junior draws. And the Australian hopes the impact of the USTA’s decision to revise its stance on wheelchair events can be a watershed moment, both for the sport and wider society.

“I’ve got to say thank you to the US Open for understanding that they made a mistake and turning it around,” Alcott said. “It feels awesome to be here, and they’ve done an incredible job to make sure that we’re safe, first and foremost, but also looked after.

“It just shows that you can’t not be inclusive in this day and age. We know that wheelchair tennis doesn’t bring in as much revenue as Serena Williams, but you know what, we are professional athletes. I wrote those tweets because I was really hurt, but I didn’t think they were going to lead to an article in the New York Times, or Andy Murray calling me up to say, 'How can I help'. The way the tennis community got behind us was unbelievable. Hopefully this goes beyond sport and helps in workplaces, hospitality and beyond, places where people with disability aren’t always considered. It’s great to know there can be a changing of the guard.”

Alcott is up against David Wagner in Saturday’s final round robin matches, the American playing for pride after Friday's 7-5 6-4 defeat by Schroder, who will take on Lapthorne for a place in Sunday’s final. Lapthorne and Alcott will then face Wagner and Schroder in the doubles final.

Hewett roars back after quiet second set to deny Fernandez

Alfie Hewett’s love affair with the US Open continues after the two-time defending champion overcame a mid-match surge from No.2 seed Gustavo Fernandez to post a 6-4 1-6 6-3 win and book his place in a fourth consecutive US Open final.

“Obviously there’s something in New York that just clicks with me,” said the 22-year-old, whose only defeat in New York came in the 2017 final. “I definitely feel confidence when I come here, but there’s always that pressure, that expectation that anything other than the winner’s trophy is maybe a disappointment.”

Hewett’s backhand was in sparkling form late in the opening set against Fernandez, who could only watch as the Briton’s rasping pass from deep behind the baseline sailed by at 4-4, 30-30. It was the first of an eight-point streak that saw Hewett move a set and 1-0 up, only for the Argentine to storm back with a six-game run to suddenly level the match.

“I was pretty down after that second set,” Hewett admitted. “I felt like I’d got a bit quiet on the court. I didn’t really have that presence and my aggression had gone. Gustavo came out and played some amazing tennis, and I didn’t really find my level. I’m just really pleased that I could find that intensity again.”

Fernandez had his chances early in the final set but Hewett seized the momentum once more, launching his racquet in delight after sealing victory to set up a final showdown with world No.1 and nine-time former US Open champion Shingo Kunieda on Sunday.

“I just need to play my game, no matter who I’m playing,” Hewett said. “I’ll come on the court with the same plan of aggression and intensity, and hopefully I can bring it back again.”

Kunieda is now one win away from a record-breaking 45th Grand Slam title after battling back from a set down against Belgium’s Joachim Gerard, 4-6 6-1 6-3.

De Groot denies Buis to set up Kamiji clash

Like Hewett, world No.1 Diede De Groot is still in the hunt for a hat-trick of US Open titles after surviving a stern examination from compatriot Marjolein Buis, saving set points in the first-set tiebreak and recovering from dropping the second set to run away with the third, 7-6(8) 4-6 6-1.

Awaiting the Dutch top seed in the final is Yui Kamiji, who said there was still more to come from her game after beating Colombian Grand Slam debutant Angelica Bernal 6-2 6-1.

“It was not my best performance today but I’m still very happy to be through to a US Open final,” said the Japanese world No.2 as she bids to claim a second Grand Slam crown in 2020 and end a run of five straight defeats to De Groot, who now leads their head-to-head 16-14.

“We know each other, we’ve played many times, but this time is a little bit different,” said the 26-year-old. “I’ve practiced many things at home, and she will have as well, so maybe we can show the people a different game.”