Shelton next up as Alcaraz tackles all-American gauntlet in path to US Open final

Carlos Alcaraz faces another American home favorite, Ben Shelton, in the U.S. Open quarter-finals as he tries to navigate an all-American path toward the final. The defending champion beat Tommy Paul in straight sets in the last 16 and could meet Frances Tiafoe or Alex Michelsen in the semi-finals.

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Shelton (is a) really powerful player. He uses the crowd, the people behind him, especially when he's playing here at home

“Shelton (is a) really powerful player. He uses the crowd, the people behind him, especially when he's playing here at home,” Alcaraz said. Shelton, who has lost all three of his matches against Alcaraz, said the Spaniard looked back to his usual level after missing nearly five months with a wrist injury.

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He's playing extremely high level. To me, he looks very normal, his normal, I mean, which is impressive after not playing for five months

The women’s draw features defending champion Aryna Sabalenka against Linda Noskova. Sabalenka has reached the quarter-finals without dropping a set and is seeking a third straight U.S. Open title after missing the chance to complete the same feat in Australia last year. Noskova, the sixth-seeded Czech, won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon less than two months ago.

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I think it will be a great match. I'm excited for the battle. Never played him here in New York and obviously in the position that I want to be in