Full Breakdown
Alcaraz cruises past Tommy Paul to reach US Open quarterfinals
9/8/2026, 2:22:08 AM
Fourth-Round Victory: the essential facts
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the round of 16 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old Spaniard broke Paul’s serve early in each set, saved three of four break points and held 75 % of his first-serve points (42 of 56) — Field Level Media. The match lasted two hours and 20 minutes, and Alcaraz’s tally of 33 winners extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches — BBC.
Return from a four-month wrist injury
Alcaraz entered the tournament after missing the French Open, Wimbledon and the early part of the US swing because of a right-wrist injury sustained in April. The injury had kept him off the tour for more than four months, a hiatus that also forced him to skip the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon — BBC. Despite the layoff, Alcaraz has dropped only one set in his first four matches and remains unbeaten at the US Open since 2021.
Match statistics at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 | Field Level Media |
| Winners (Alcaraz) | 33 | Field Level Media |
| First-serve points won | 75 % (42/56) | Field Level Media |
| Break points saved (Alcaraz) | 3 of 4 | Field Level Media |
| Break points converted (Alcaraz) | 7 of 11 | Field Level Media |
| Head-to-head (Alcaraz vs. Paul) | 7-2 overall, 6 straight wins at majors | Field Level Media |
Official statements & reactions
He added that the win reinforced his belief that he is “back to full power.” Former champion Andy Roddick quizzed Alcaraz on his potential quarter-final opponent, noting that the Spaniard would face either Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas. Alcaraz’s surprised reaction—“Really? Oh my God, I thought I was playing Medvedev-Tiafoe”—highlighted his unfamiliarity with the draw at that stage.
American eighth seed Ben Shelton, who later defeated Tsitsipas, described Alcaraz’s level as “truly impressive” and predicted “fireworks on Tuesday night” for their upcoming clash. Shelton also warned that Alcaraz’s wrist could be tested by his 140 mph-plus serves.
Verbatim quotes
- “I played my game. I tried to play my style,” — Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion
- “Really? Oh my God, I thought I was playing Medvedev-Tiafoe,” — Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion
- “I'm just trying to enjoy my time on the court,” — Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion
- “You’re either going to play Shelton or Tsitsipas,” — Andy Roddick
- “The level at which he's played is truly impressive,” — Ben Shelton
- “I think it’s going to be fireworks on Tuesday night,” — Ben Shelton
What’s next
Alcaraz’s quarter-final opponent will be the winner of the Ben Shelton vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas match, which Shelton won in straight sets. A victory would give Alcaraz a chance to defend his US Open title and become the first man in the Open Era to win back-to-back majors on all three surfaces, having already captured Wimbledon (2023, 2024) and the French Open (2024). The upcoming match is billed as a potential “blockbuster” that could determine whether Alcaraz completes a historic hard-court title defense.
