Alcaraz produces statement win to reach US Open quarter-finals

Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist held up under pressure as the Spaniard delivered a commanding straight-sets victory over Tommy Paul to reach the US Open quarter-finals.

Playing only his fourth competitive singles match after more than four months away, Alcaraz defeated the American 20th seed 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. He has dropped just one set in New York and now faces eighth seed Ben Shelton, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

A wrist injury kept Alcaraz out of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer. He had won the previous two Grand Slam tournaments, last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open, and the win over Paul extended his major-match winning streak to 18.

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I’ve been really focused on the recovery with my team, with myself, doing the right things off the court trying to be healthy and in good shape for the next round.

Alcaraz has changed his routine in New York, prioritizing recovery and even giving up golf on rest days. “I’ve been really focused on the recovery with my team, with myself, doing the right things off the court trying to be healthy and in good shape for the next round,” he said.

The quarter-final will test that recovery against Shelton’s powerful serve. Alcaraz has won all three of their tour-level meetings. American hopes also grew as Frances Tiafoe beat 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev and Alex Michelsen defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry, both reaching their respective quarter-finals. Tiafoe has won all 10 of his matches on Louis Armstrong Stadium, while Michelsen reached a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time.

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If Shelton were to come through, he is the kind of player that can knock the racquet out of your hand.