Carlos Alcaraz continued his meteoric rise 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 historic chapter to his already impressive résumé. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, who has been sidelined for more than four months with a wrist injury earlier in the season, showed no trace of lingering physical issues. He dismantled the 20th‑seeded Paul 6‑4, 6‑3, 6‑4, marking his sixth consecutive victory over the 29‑year‑old and extending his run to 14 straight sets won against him.
Alcaraz’s performance was a masterclass in aggressive baseline play, with the champion converting two set points in the third set into emphatic forehand winners that sealed the match in just two hours and 21 minutes. After the win, the defending champion reflected on his approach: "I played my game, I tried to impose my style from the start. Tommy is a talented player with dangerous shots, so I stayed ready for the battle and kept the pressure on his return game.
I stayed aggressive, didn’t let him settle, and tried to stay relaxed and clear‑headed. I’m happy with my performance and feel back to full power.
It doesn’t matter that I was out for four‑and‑a‑half months; every time I’m here I give my best and enjoy it." Alcaraz’s achievements this season already place him among the sport’s elite. He is the youngest male player ever to complete a career Grand Slam, having captured titles on Wimbledon’s grass in 2023 and 2024 and on the clay of Roland Garros in 2024 and the previous year. If he can claim a second US Open crown on Sunday, he will become the only man in the Open Era to successfully defend major titles on all three surfaces—grass, clay, and hard courts.
Such a feat would cement his status as a versatile champion capable of adapting his game to any conditions. Commentators were quick to praise Alcaraz’s form. Tim Henman of Sky Sports noted, "It’s a pleasure to watch Alcaraz shift into higher gears.
He’s getting better and better as the tournament progresses. Tommy Paul gave everything he had, but Alcaraz was a class apart.
His forehand was firing; I’ve seen many great forehands over the years, but his might be the best—he hits it with such power and precision it looks effortless." Former legend Martina Navratilova added, "It’s astonishing how quickly he’s reached this level. Most players take years to develop a full‑armed repertoire, but Carlos is already operating in a different stratosphere." On the women’s side, Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open title with a gritty 6‑4, 6‑3 victory over American Taylor Townsend. The match, played on Arthur Ashe Stadium, featured an unusually high number of service breaks—11 in 19 games—highlighting the intensity and volatility of the contest.
Sabalenka, who has spent 99 weeks atop the rankings, knows that a third consecutive Flushing Meadows triumph would bring her within striking distance of the coveted 100‑week milestone, provided current No. 2 Elena Rybakina falls before the semifinals. Sabalenka described the challenge: "It’s super challenging, but I have to stay focused on myself. In the second set I hit a low point, but I told myself to stay aggressive, return every serve, and apply pressure.
I kept my focus point by point, ball by ball, and managed to turn the set around. That was the key moment for me." Analysts praised her resilience.
Navratilova observed, "Sabalenka’s baseline game was solid; she returned well and hit passing shots when needed. Townsend had more winners, but Aryna’s defensive skills made the difference. She lost serve several times, but when it mattered she was at her best, deserving a solid B grade." Annabel Croft added, "Sabalenka brought ferocious intensity.
When she fell a break down, she rallied, let out a huge scream, and showed she meant business. Her passion, aura, and mental toughness make her a great showwoman—tennis is entertainment as well as sport.
She’s taken a beating but still looks in great shape and hasn’t dropped a set yet." In the quarter‑finals, Sabalenka will face Czech Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who survived a dramatic three‑set battle against fellow Czech Marta Kostyuk. Kostyuk saved five match points—two at the end of the second set and three in the decider—before Noskova clinched the win 7‑5, 5‑7, 6‑4. The men’s draw also delivered a historic moment.
Ben Shelton’s run to the quarter‑finals ended a 149‑year streak of one‑handed backhand players reaching the men’s singles semifinals at a Grand Slam. Shelton’s victories over left‑handed Denis Shapovalov and then Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lamented the decline of the classic stroke, highlighted the modern game’s shift toward two‑handed backhands. "In the 1950s, maybe 97‑98% of players used a one‑handed backhand," Tsitsipas said after his 6‑2, 6‑3, 6‑4 loss.
"Now it’s down to two or three percent." American Frances Tiafoe also advanced, dispatching 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev 7‑6(7‑1), 6‑4, 7‑6(7‑6) to reach the quarter‑finals. 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 captivate fans worldwide, with live coverage on Sky Sports beginning August 30. Viewers can also stream matches without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports App, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast from the O2 in London later in September.
The tournament’s blend of emerging talent, seasoned champions, and historic milestones ensures that the excitement will only intensify as the quarter‑finals approach.