Alcaraz and Sabalenka power into the US Open quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka continued their forceful title defenses in New York, both reaching the US Open quarterfinals in straight sets. Alcaraz defeated American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes, while Sabalenka beat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 in 74 minutes.

The Spanish defending champion reached the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows for the fifth time and the 15th time at a Grand Slam. His victory also extended an 18-match winning streak at the majors. Alcaraz remains unbeaten against American opponents in Grand Slam play and has now beaten Paul at all four majors and at the Olympics.

There was a lighter moment after the match when Alcaraz learned during an interview with Andy Roddick that his quarterfinal opponent would come from the Shelton-Tsitsipas match, not the Medvedev-Tiafoe match, as he had believed. "God, I thought I was going to play Medvedev or Tiafoe," he said, laughing. Ben Shelton then secured the matchup by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. The American, recently crowned champion in Montreal, described Alcaraz as "superhuman."

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God, I thought I was going to play Medvedev or Tiafoe

Sabalenka, the champion of the past two New York editions, used her power and return game to break Townsend seven times. The world number one has now reached at least the quarterfinals in 15 of her last 16 Grand Slam appearances. She will play Linda Noskova, who eliminated Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. Sabalenka has won both of their previous meetings.

Jessica Pegula also advanced by beating Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-4. Alex Michelsen completed the day with a 7-6(8), 6-4, 6-4 win over Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry, reaching the quarterfinals without dropping a set in New York. He will face Frances Tiafoe, who eliminated Daniil Medvedev.

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Superhuman