US Open: Alcaraz manhandles Paul to reach quarterfinals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Carlos Alcaraz is through to the US Open quarterfinals after dominating Tommy Paul, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, in their round-of-16 clash on Sept. 7, 2026, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Fresh off a clinical sweep of China’s Wu Yibing, the defending champion picked up where he left off, notching his third straight-sets victory in the ongoing Grand Slam tournament.

From the opening set, Alcaraz neutralized Paul’s rhythm, suffocating him with powerful groundstrokes and consistent baseline depth.

Unlike in his previous win over Alexander Bublik, when he dictated the baseline tempo, Paul failed to find any opportunity against Alcaraz to unleash his signature flat forehand shots.

To counter Paul’s flat shots, Alcaraz avoided short returns into no-man’s land, leaving the American little choice but to stay behind the baseline and fight fire with fire.

Alcaraz broke serve to snap a 4-all deadlock, then held to take the opening set and begin the round of 16 on a high note.

Paul attempted to wear down Alcaraz by prolonging the rallies with deep backhand returns, but the seven-time Grand Slam champion proved too strong and responded by attacking the net.

Alcaraz broke Paul twice in the second set and became more cautious with his baseline depth after the American began hitting crosscourt slices to slow his aggression.

After an intense chess match, Alcaraz came out firing in the third set and exploited Paul’s erratic forehand to gain early momentum.

It was an unorthodox and unpredictable tactic because Paul had been more efficient off his right wing, but the American’s forehand success rate dropped during the final four games of the second set, which the 23-year-old ace capitalized on.

Alcaraz added another break in the ninth game of the final set, then sealed the match with a masterful display of groundstrokes in the 10th to keep his Grand Slam hopes and title defense alive.

Alcaraz finished the round-of-16 victory with 99 points won in three sets, along with three aces, four converted break points and 39 return points.

Awaiting Alcaraz in the quarterfinals is world No. 9 Ben Shelton, who earlier dismantled Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.