Carlos Alcaraz strolled past Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round on Sunday, needing only routine care to book his place in the last eight at Flushing Meadows.
The second seed hit 33 winners, landed 67% of his first serves and won 23 of 29 points at the net, ABC News reported.
Asked on court whether his game was back to full power after his layoff, Alcaraz kept the answer short.
“I think so,” the defending champion said afterwards, per Tennis Majors.
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He credited relentless pressure on Paul’s serve for keeping him composed.
“I just put so much pressure on the return games, which for me it helps a lot to play relaxed, to play calm, to think clearly.”
From an April injury to the last eight
Alcaraz had not played competitively since a wrist problem forced him out of the Barcelona Open in April. The Spaniard missed both Roland Garros and Wimbledon and skipped the North American hard-court swing in Toronto and Cincinnati, Al Jazeera reported when he confirmed his New York return on 20 August. He arrived at Flushing Meadows still ranked world number two.
On Sunday, the layoff was invisible. He praised Paul’s dangerous ball-striking and said he had gone into the match with one aim.
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“So I just tried to be ready for the battle, to be ready to run if it matters, and trying to be aggressive all the time, trying not to let him stay on the court,” Alcaraz said.
Shelton up next after Tsitsipas thrashing
Ben Shelton earned the quarterfinal date by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour 51 minutes, the ATP Tour reported. The eighth seed is trying to become the first American man to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 3-0, though the two have not met since Roland Garros in 2025.
Shelton has been watching closely.
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“I’ve been watching his matches. I think 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 American said.
“I think it will be a great match. I’m excited for the battle.”
Alcaraz and Shelton meet in the quarterfinal on Tuesday at Flushing Meadows.
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