Carlos Alcaraz continued his march toward tennis immortality by cruising into the US Open quarter‑finals, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, who has yet to show any lingering effects from the wrist injury that kept him out for more than four months earlier this year, dispatched American Tommy Paul in straight sets, underscoring his dominance on hard courts. Alcaraz’s résumé already includes the distinction of being the youngest male player ever to complete a career Grand Slam. If he can capture a second consecutive title at Flushing Meadows, he will achieve a historic feat: becoming the only man in the Open Era to successfully defend major titles on all three surfaces—grass, clay and hard courts.
He has already triumphed on Wimbledon’s grass in both 2023 and 2024, and on the clay of Roland Garros in 2023 and 2024. A victory this Sunday would therefore complete the elusive set on hard courts. Paul, seeded 20th, entered the match with confidence, declaring before the start that he always believes he can beat the top‑ranked players.
However, Alcaraz’s relentless pressure proved too much. The Spaniard won 6‑4, 6‑3, 6‑4, marking his sixth straight victory over the 29‑year‑old American and the 14th consecutive set he has taken from Paul in their head‑to‑head meetings. Though Alcaraz faced two set points at the tail end of the third set, he brushed them aside with two emphatic forehand winners, sealing the win in just two hours and 21 minutes.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz said, “I played my game. I tried to impose my style on today’s match. Tommy is a very talented player with dangerous shots, so I stayed ready for the battle and prepared to run whenever necessary.
I kept the aggression high and didn’t give him time to settle. I applied pressure on his return game, which helped me stay relaxed, calm, and think clearly.” He added, “I’m really happy with how I played today.
Am I back to full power? I think so. Every time I come here I give my best, and I just try to enjoy it. It doesn’t matter that I was out for four‑and‑a‑half months; whenever I step onto these courts I play at my highest level.” Former British champion Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Alcaraz’s evolution: “It’s a joy to watch him shift gears.
He’s gotten better and better as the tournament has progressed. Tommy Paul gave it his all, but Alcaraz was simply a different class. His forehand is firing – I’ve seen many great forehands over the years, but his may be the best. The way he hits it with such power while still looking in control is unbelievable.” Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also weighed in, marveling at Alcaraz’s rapid ascent: “It’s astonishing how quickly he has reached this level.
Usually, players need years to develop the breadth of options in their game, but Carlos seems to be operating in another stratosphere already.” On the women’s side, Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open crown and retained the top ranking after a gritty win over American Taylor Townsend.
Sabalenka survived a surprisingly volatile match that featured 11 service breaks across 19 games, ultimately prevailing 6‑4, 6‑3 on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory was far from effortless; after a shaky second set, Sabalenka regrouped, focusing on each point and each ball. “It’s super challenging, but you have to keep your focus on yourself,” she explained. “When I was down a break, I told myself to stay aggressive on the return and keep the pressure on.
I tried to stay present, point by point, ball by ball. Turning the second set around was the key moment for me.” Sabalenka’s reign at the summit of the women’s rankings has lasted 99 weeks, but she still needs a third consecutive Flushing Meadows title to reach the coveted 100‑week milestone. That goal also depends on current world No.
2 Elena Rybakina falling before the semifinals. Should Sabalenka advance, she will face Czech Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter‑finals. Noskova earned her spot after a marathon battle with Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, a match that echoed their previous semifinal at Wimbledon. Kostyuk saved five match points—two at the close of the second set and three in the deciding set—before Noskova finally clinched the win 7‑5, 5‑7, 6‑4.
Navratilova offered her assessment of Sabalenka’s performance: “It was good enough, pretty solid. Townsend had more winners, but Aryna excelled at returning serve and hitting passing shots. Townsend tried to come to the net more often but wasn’t successful; Sabalenka’s baseline game was dominant. Overall I’d give her a ‘B’ – she lost serve many times but played her best when it mattered.” Former British player Annabel Croft highlighted Sabalenka’s intensity: “There was ferocious intensity in what she brought onto the court.
When she fell a break down in the second set, she galvanized herself, let out a huge scream and you could tell she meant business. Her passion, aura, mentality, and personality make her a great showwoman—she knows tennis is also entertainment. She’s taken some hits but doesn’t look as vulnerable as many expected. She hasn’t dropped a set yet and looks in excellent shape.” In the men’s draw, Ben Shelton’s remarkable run to the quarter‑finals sent shockwaves through tennis traditionalists.
Shelton’s victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas eliminated the last remaining player in the tournament who still employs a one‑handed backhand, effectively ending a 149‑year streak of at least one such player reaching the semifinals of a Grand Slam. The one‑handed backhand, once the norm, has gradually been eclipsed by the two‑handed version in the modern power‑driven game. Shelton’s path also included a win over left‑handed one‑handed backhand specialist Denis Shapovalov in the third round, underscoring the shift in playing styles. After his 6‑2, 6‑3, 6‑4 defeat, Tsitsipas reflected on the historical context: “In the 1950s, I think 97‑98 % of players used a one‑handed backhand.
Now it’s down to two or three %.” Shelton’s success illustrates how the sport continues to evolve, with the two‑handed backhand now dominant on the professional circuit. American Frances Tiafoe also secured a place in the quarter‑finals by defeating 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev 7‑6 (7‑1), 6‑4, 7‑6 (7‑6).
Tiafoe will meet fellow American Alex Michelsen, who earlier in the day overcame Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7‑6 (8‑6), 6‑4, 6‑4. The tournament continues to showcase a blend of seasoned champions and rising talents, promising compelling match‑ups as the competition moves deeper into its second week.
The US Open remains broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers who prefer contract‑free access. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at the O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown on Sky Sports.