Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in New York to reach the US Open quarterfinals. His 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. Alcaraz looked sharp throughout and showed why he remains a favorite for the title.
Alcaraz returned to the US Open after nearly five months out with a wrist injury, information from Reuters. The win was his first singles match in 139 days. Paul had moments when he pushed back, but Alcaraz’s consistency and athleticism proved too much. After the match, Alcaraz joked that he felt back to his best and referred to his seven major titles. The crowd, which included Matthew McConaughey, watched him control the match and earn praise for his technique and composure.
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 and showed she can handle the pressure against more experienced opponents. Aryna Sabalenka also advanced, beating Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to keep her run going in the women’s draw.
The schedule featured a run of tight matches, including a hard-fought contest between Daniil Medvedev and Francis Tiafoe. Both players drove each other into deep rallies, underlining 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 reported that Alcaraz arrived in New York as the defending US Open champion and one of the basic favorites, making his return a major tournament storyline. Before facing Paul, he had defeated Roman Safiullin and Jaime Faria. He came back after dropping the first set in the second round. After beating 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 enters its final stretch. The draw remains unpredictable, with established stars and new faces refusing to give ground. As reported earlier, Alcaraz’s run has drawn high expectations and featured strong performances. His latest win adds to anticipation for what comes next.
Noskova’s breakthrough and Sabalenka’s steady progress show that new contenders are stepping up in women’s tennis. The eighth day of the US Open made clear that a younger generation is challenging the old order and ready to compete now. Alcaraz’s form and the hunger of players like Noskova set up a closing week in which reputations will be tested, with only the most flexible next.
