US Open: Carlos Alcaraz beats Tommy Paul to continue his full-speed comeback

Carlos Alcaraz is back in the US Open quarterfinals, and his latest performance looked like his strongest since returning from a wrist injury. The Spaniard defeated American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Alcaraz entered the tournament as the defending champion, having already won the New York title twice, in 2022 and last year. His ranking has slipped to third after four months away from competition, but he has remained unbeaten since returning.

Paul, ranked 21st, represented a serious test. The New Jersey native had beaten Alcaraz twice, although Alcaraz had won their previous five meetings, including their most recent match in the same stage of the Australian Open in January.

The first set stayed level through the opening nine games, with both players holding serve. Alcaraz then pressured Paul into a 0-40 deficit. Paul saved one set point with an ace, but an attempted inside-out forehand went just wide on the next, handing the set to the Spaniard.

Alcaraz quickly took control in the second set, breaking for a 2-0 lead with a forehand winner. Paul immediately recovered one break, but Alcaraz broke again to move ahead 4-1 and held the advantage. He broke in the third game of the final set as well. Paul created a chance to come back when Alcaraz served for the match at 5-4, but the former world No. 1 held firm and closed out the victory.