Carlos Alcaraz continued his remarkable run at the US Open, cruising past American Tommy Paul in straight sets to secure a place in the quarterfinals and move one step closer to adding another chapter to his already historic career. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, who has been playing without any lingering effects from the wrist injury that kept him out for more than four months earlier this year, displayed a level of dominance that left little doubt about his form.
He dispatched Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that lasted just over two hours, extending his personal winning streak against the 29‑year‑old to six consecutive meetings and a total of 14 straight sets. Alcaraz entered the tournament already holding the distinction of being the youngest man ever to achieve a career Grand Slam.
If he can repeat his success at Flushing Meadows this year, he will become the only player in the Open Era to successfully defend major titles on all three surfaces—grass, clay and hard courts. He has already claimed Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024 and captured the French Open crown in 2024 and the previous year, leaving the hard‑court crown as the final piece of the puzzle. Paul, seeded 20th, entered the match with confidence, telling the media that he always believes he can beat the top players. However, Alcaraz’s relentless aggression and precision proved too much.
Although Paul managed to earn two set points in the third set, Alcaraz brushed them aside with two emphatic forehand winners, sealing the victory in a match that showcased his powerful baseline game and his ability to stay composed under pressure. After the win, Alcaraz reflected on his performance, saying, "I played my game. I tried to impose my style from the start.
Tommy is a very talented opponent with dangerous shots, so I stayed ready for any battle and kept moving when needed. I kept the pressure on his return game, stayed aggressive, and tried not to let him settle. Playing relaxed and clear‑headed helped a lot, and I’m happy with how I performed today. I feel back to full power after being out for four and a half months; every time I come here I give my best and try to enjoy the moment." Former British star Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Alcaraz’s progression: "It’s a joy to watch him shift into higher gear.
He’s improved with each round. Tommy Paul gave it his all, but Alcaraz was simply a class above.
His forehand is firing; I’ve seen many great forehands, but his might be the best—he hits it with such power and precision it looks effortless." Legendary former champion Martina Navratilova added, "It’s astonishing how quickly he has reached this level. Usually, players need time to develop a full arsenal, but Carlos operates in a different stratosphere." On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open title and retained the world No. 1 ranking after a gritty 6-4, 6-3 victory over American Taylor Townsend. The match, played on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, featured an unusually high number of service breaks—11 in total across 19 games—highlighting the volatility of the contest.
Sabalenka, who has spent 99 weeks atop the rankings, now aims for a third consecutive Flushing Meadows crown, a feat that would cement her status among the sport’s greats. To reach the coveted 100‑week milestone at No. 1, she will need to win her next match and hope that current No.
2 Elena Rybakina is eliminated before the semifinals. Sabalenka described the challenge, saying, "It’s very demanding, but the key is to stay focused on myself.
In the second set I hit a low point, but I reminded myself to stay aggressive on the return and keep the pressure on. I concentrated on each point, each ball, and managed to turn the set around—it was a crucial moment." In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face Czech Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who earned her spot after a dramatic three‑set win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk (7-5, 5-7, 6-4). Kostyuk saved five match points, two at the end of the second set and three in the decider, before Noskova finally broke through.
Navratilova evaluated Sabalenka’s performance: "It was solid overall. Townsend had more winners, but Aryna’s returning and passing shots were excellent. She struggled with her serve at times, but when it mattered she was very effective.
I’d give her a ‘B’—she lost serve too often, yet she delivered when it counted." Former player Annabel Croft praised Sabalenka’s intensity: "She showed ferocious intensity, especially when she fell behind in the second set. She rallied, let out a huge scream, and you could see she meant business. Her passion, aura, and mentality make her a great showwoman—tennis is entertainment as well as sport. She’s taken a beating but doesn’t look as vulnerable as expected.
So far she hasn’t dropped a set and looks in great shape." The men’s draw also saw a historic moment as Ben Shelton’s run to the quarterfinals ended a 149‑year streak of having at least one one‑handed backhand player in the later stages of a Grand Slam. Shelton’s victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas eliminated the last remaining one‑handed backhand practitioner, a style that has become increasingly rare in the modern power‑driven game.
Tsitsipas lamented the decline, noting that in the 1950s nearly every player used a one‑handed backhand, whereas today it accounts for only a few percent of the field. Shelton’s path also included a win over left‑handed one‑handed backhander Denis Shapovalov in the third round before dispatching Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round. His success underscores the shift toward two‑handed backhands as the dominant technique in contemporary tennis. Meanwhile, American Frances Tiafoe advanced to the quarterfinals after a hard‑fought victory over 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, winning 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 7-6 (7-6).
He will meet fellow American Alex Michelsen, who earlier in the day defeated Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 6-4. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup scheduled for live coverage at The O2 in London from September 25‑27.