Carlos Alcaraz continued his meteoric rise at the US Open, cruising past American Tommy Paul in straight sets to secure a place in the quarter‑finals. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, who has been sidelined for over four months with a wrist injury, showed no lingering physical issues, dismantling the 20th‑seeded Paul 6‑4, 6‑3, 6‑4 in just two hours and twenty‑one minutes. This victory not only marks Alcaraz’s sixth consecutive win over Paul but also extends his dominance to fourteen straight sets in their head‑to‑head meetings.
Alcaraz’s performance was a masterclass in aggression and composure. After fending off two set points late in the third set with emphatic forehand winners, he praised his own game plan, saying he tried to impose his style, stay aggressive, and keep the pressure on Paul’s return. "I played my game, I tried to put my style on today’s match," he explained.
"Tommy is a very talented player with dangerous shots, so I stayed ready for the battle, ready to run when needed. I kept the pressure on his serve and tried to stay relaxed and clear‑headed. I’m happy with my performance and feel back at full power after the long layoff." Commentators on Sky Sports highlighted the quality of his forehand, with former pro Tim Henman noting that Alcaraz’s forehand "might be the best I’ve ever seen," while tennis legend Martina Navratilova marveled at how quickly he has reached such a high level, describing his game as being "in another stratosphere." If Alcaraz can capture another title in New York, he will become the first man in the Open Era to defend Grand Slam crowns on all three surfaces—grass (Wimbledon 2023, 2024), clay (French Open 2024 and 2023) and hard courts (US Open). Such a feat would cement his status as the youngest male player ever to complete a career Grand Slam.
On the women’s side, Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open crown with a gritty 6‑4, 6‑3 win over American Taylor Townsend. The match was a roller‑coaster, featuring eleven breaks of serve in just nineteen games, and Sabalenka had to rally from a break down in the second set.
She described the experience as "super challenging" but emphasized the importance of staying focused on each point. "I was like, ‘okay, you’re down the break, just try to return the serve and put as much pressure on her as possible,’" Sabalenka said. Her resilience paid off, allowing her to turn the tide and secure the victory. Sabalenka’s win keeps her atop the rankings, but to reach the coveted 100‑week milestone she will need to capture a third consecutive US Open title and hope that current No.
2 Elena Rybakina exits before the semifinals. In the upcoming quarter‑final, Sabalenka will face Czech Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who survived a brutal three‑set battle against fellow Czech Marta Kostyuk, saving five match points before prevailing 7‑5, 5‑7, 6‑4.
Analysts praised Sabalenka’s baseline game and her ability to return serve under pressure. Navratilova noted that while Townsend produced more winners, Sabalenka’s returning and passing shots were decisive. Annabel Croft added that Sabalenka’s intensity, mental fortitude, and showmanship make her a compelling entertainer as well as a top‑level competitor. The men’s draw also saw a historic moment when Ben Shelton’s run to the quarter‑finals ended a 149‑year streak of at least one one‑handed backhand player reaching the semi‑finals of a Grand Slam.
Shelton’s victories over left‑handed Denis Shapovalov and then Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lamented the decline of the one‑handed backhand, underscored the evolution of modern tennis toward two‑handed strokes. Tsitsipas remarked, "In the 1950s, about 97‑98% of players used a one‑handed backhand; now it’s only two‑three percent." Meanwhile, American Frances Tiafoe dispatched 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in a tight three‑set match (7‑6 (7‑1), 6‑4, 7‑6 (7‑6)) to claim his own spot in the quarter‑finals. He will meet fellow American Alex Michelsen, who earlier in the day beat Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets.
The tournament continues to deliver high‑stakes drama, with Sky Sports broadcasting live from August 30 and streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app. Overall, the quarter‑finals promise a blend of youthful vigor and seasoned excellence. Alcaraz’s quest for a historic triple‑surface defense, Sabalenka’s pursuit of a third straight title, and the emergence of new American talents like Shelton and Tiafoe set the stage for a compelling second week at Flushing Meadows.
Fans can expect fierce competition, strategic brilliance, and perhaps more moments that rewrite tennis history as the champions battle for the coveted US Open trophies.