Carlos Alcaraz moved one step closer to defending his title at Flushing Meadows on Sunday, defeating American 20th seed Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The victory in the high-intensity match secured the seven-time Grand Slam champion a spot in the US Open quarterfinals, marking a significant milestone in his return to top form after a five-month absence due to a right wrist injury.
The 23-year-old Spaniard showcased his trademark shotmaking, extending his current major match-winning streak to 18. Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz noted, “I think I just played my game. I tried to play to my style. Tommy’s such a talented player, and his shots are pretty dangerous, and it’s difficult to control the ball when it comes to you. I was ready for a battle.” He added that he focused on maintaining aggression and applying pressure on his opponent’s return to stay composed throughout the contest.
The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium intensified during the third game when Paul executed a remarkable 161km/hour (100 mph) forehand winner around the net. Despite the crowd’s support for the American, Alcaraz remained resilient, clinching the opening set. He carried that momentum into the second, utilizing a precise crosscourt winner to establish an early 2-0 lead. Although the two players traded breaks, Alcaraz maintained control to pull ahead.
As the match progressed, the second seed continued to dominate with audacious play, bringing his career record against American opponents at Grand Slams to 13-0. After a brief lapse near the finish line, Alcaraz regrouped to secure the final point with a powerful forehand, setting up a quarterfinal clash against either Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas.
When asked if he had returned to his peak performance level in New York, where he has now reached the quarterfinals in five of his six appearances, Alcaraz responded, “I think so.” He emphasized his deep connection to the venue, stating, “It shows how special this place is to me; I’m just enjoying myself on court here. It doesn’t matter that I was out for over four months. Every time I come here, I play well.” The report also notes that carlos Alcaraz beat American 20th seed Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a high-voltage tennis hit-fest on Sunday to reach the US Open quarterfinals and remain firmly on track for back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows. The report also notes that before trading breaks with Paul and breezing through the remaining games for a com, the 23-year-old left a vapour trail with a crosscourt winner to carve out an early opening in the second set and swiftly took a 2-0 lead.
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