Carlos Alcaraz Advances to US Open Quarterfinals with Victory Over Tommy Paul

Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open after defeating Tommy Paul in straight sets. This victory marks Alcaraz's return to major tournaments following a four-month injury layoff. With a remarkable performance, he has maintained a strong record against Paul, winning all encounters at Grand Slam events. Alcaraz reflects on his special connection to the US Open and his impressive winning streak, which now stands at 18 matches. Read on to discover more about his journey and insights from the match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 7, 2026, 09:03 IST

Alcaraz's Impressive Performance

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has successfully reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, defeating local favorite Tommy Paul on Sunday. The world number three achieved a straight-sets victory with scores of 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 against the American player.

A Comeback After Injury

This marks Alcaraz's first major tournament in four months following a wrist injury hiatus. His remarkable consistency has allowed him to lose only one set across four matches in this tournament. With this latest win, Alcaraz now holds a 7-2 advantage over Paul in their ATP Head-to-Head encounters, having triumphed over him at all four Grand Slam events. He becomes the tenth player in the Open Era to defeat the same opponent at each Grand Slam.

Post-Match Insights

In a post-match interview, Alcaraz expressed, "I played my game and tried to stick to my style. Tommy is incredibly talented, and his shots can be quite dangerous. I aimed to be prepared for a tough match and to maintain an aggressive approach throughout."

"I focused on not allowing him to dominate the court, which helped me apply pressure during his service games. This strategy allowed me to play more relaxed and think clearly. I am very pleased with my performance today," he added.

Match Analysis

During the initial nine games, neither player managed to secure a break point. However, Alcaraz broke Paul's serve to take the first set. He broke Paul's serve twice in the second set and once more in the third, concluding the match in two hours and 20 minutes, hitting 33 winners.

Alcaraz's Special Connection to the US Open

Reflecting on his connection to the tournament, Alcaraz stated, "I think I am back to my best physical form. I never anticipated reaching the quarter-finals here every year since 2021, which highlights how special this venue is for me. Regardless of my four-and-a-half-month absence, I consistently perform at my best here."

With this victory, Alcaraz has extended his winning streak at Grand Slam events to 18 matches, a personal record that includes his 2025 US Open title and his triumph at the January Australian Open, where he became the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam. This season, he boasts 26 wins against just three losses.