Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul in straight sets at the US Open. Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova also moved on after tough matches. The field is narrowing as top seeds and new names fight for the title.
Carlos Alcaraz made quick work of Tommy Paul in New York, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to book his place in the US Open quarterfinals. Alcaraz’s defense and aggressive shot-making kept Paul on the back foot, even as the American saved several break points and tried to disrupt the pace. The Spaniard looked sharp throughout, showing why he remains a favorite for the title.
Paul had moments where he pushed back, but Alcaraz’s consistency and athleticism were too much. After the match, Alcaraz joked about feeling back to his best and referenced his seven major titles, a reminder of how much he’s already achieved at a young age. The crowd, which included Matthew McConnaughey, saw a player in full control, drawing praise for both his technique and composure.
According to Reuters, Alcaraz returned to the US Open after nearly five months out due to a wrist injury, winning his first singles match in 139 days.
Linda Noskova’s three-set win over Marta Kostyuk was one of the day’s closest matches. Noskova, 21, edged Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, showing she can handle the pressure against more experienced opponents. Aryna Sabalenka also moved on, beating Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to keep her run going in the women’s draw.
The schedule was packed with tight matches, including a hard-fought contest between Daniil Medvedev and Francis Tiafoe. Both players pushed each other deep into rallies, a sign of how demanding the late rounds of a Grand Slam can be. At this stage, every point counts and every win is hard-earned.
ATP and Reuters confirm that Alcaraz arrived in New York as the defending US Open champion and one of the main favorites, with his return considered a major storyline of the tournament. Before facing Paul, Alcaraz had already defeated Roman Safiullin and Jaime Faria, notably coming back after dropping the first set in the second round. After his win over Safiullin, Alcaraz improved to 8–0 in majors for 2026 and completed a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January.
Next, Alcaraz will play either Shelton or Tsitsipas, another tough test as the tournament heads into its final stretch. The draw remains unpredictable, with both established stars and new faces refusing to give ground. As reported earlier, Alcaraz’s run has been marked by high expectations and strong performances, and his latest win only adds to the anticipation for what’s ahead.
Noskova’s breakthrough and Sabalenka’s steady progress show that women’s tennis is seeing new contenders step up. The eighth day of the US Open made it clear: the old order is being challenged by a younger generation ready to compete now. Alcaraz’s form, along with the hunger of players like Noskova, sets up a closing week where reputations will be tested and only the most adaptable will move forward. The intensity is rising, and anyone who can’t keep up will be out.
