Carlos Alcaraz continued his dominant run at the US Open on Sunday, defeating American 20th seed Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The victory secures the second seed a spot in the quarterfinals and extends his impressive Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches. This performance marks a significant return to form for the seven-time major champion, who recently spent five months sidelined due to a right wrist injury.
Reflecting on his tactical approach, 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 his focus on aggressive play and effective returns allowed him to maintain composure throughout the high-intensity match.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was treated to a display of world-class tennis, particularly in the third game when Paul executed a remarkable 161km/hour (100 mph) forehand winner around the net. Despite the pressure, the Spaniard held firm to clinch the first set. He quickly established momentum in the second, securing a 2-0 lead with a precise crosscourt winner and maintaining control despite a brief exchange of breaks.
Alcaraz’s victory keeps his perfect record against American players at Grand Slams intact at 13-0. Although he faced a minor lapse near the finish line, he regained his focus to secure the win. The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against either Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas. Alcaraz, who has now reached the quarterfinals in five of his six appearances at the tournament, expressed his affinity for the venue.
When asked if he has returned to his peak level in New York, Alcaraz responded, “I think so. 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.” His final forehand rocket to secure match point served as a clear indicator that the 23-year-old is once again a primary contender for the title. 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 “I was trying to be aggressive all the time … I did well to put pressure on his return, which helped me stay calm and to think clearly. The report also notes that still, the Spaniard stood firm before striking late to snatch the opening set.
