Alcaraz eliminates Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach US Open quarterfinal

Carlos Alcaraz may be the defending US Open champion, but he is not the clear favorite to repeat at the final slam of the season. Coming off a four month layoff following a debilitating wrist injury, the 7-time grand slam champion and former world #1 was seeking form, confidence, and a coveted spot in the final eight.

Standing in his way was a familiar foe – Tommy Paul. The twenty-nine-year-old New Jersey native is currently ranked 21st and seeded 20th. The former world #8 claimed one title this season and was striving to progress to the quarters for the first time in his career.

Though he trailed 2-6 in the head-to-head, both victories came during the summer hardcourt swing in 2022 & 2023 at the National Bank Open in Canada. Their most recent match was this past January at the Australian Open, and while Alcaraz won in straight sets, it was competitive.

Photo: IMAGO / MediaPunch

On Arthur Ashe Stadium on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Alcaraz served first. Though he donated a double fault, he held to 30 while Paul struck two monster serves, including a 132mph ace on game point to level. The Spaniard faced deuce when Paul crushed a forehand winner around the post but won the next two points to hold. The American struck two consecutive winners, including a brilliant forehand half-volley, and held to 30 to level at two.

Alcaraz held easily to 15 while Paul donated a double fault but held for 3-3 with an ace and a colossal serve up the tee. Alcaraz hit two consecutive groundstroke winners and held to 15 while Paul, serving with new balls, faced 0-30 but held after Alcaraz committed three consecutive unforced errors.

Alcaraz hit two consecutive winners and held easily to 15 for 5-4 while Paul, serving to stay in the set, faced 0-40 and conceded it when he missed wide with an inside-out forehand.

Alcaraz served first in the second and, though he donated two backhand errors, held to 30 while Paul faced triple break point and dumped serve. The defending champion gave back the break with three unforced errors. Paul opened the fourth with two consecutive forehand errors and dropped serve when Alcaraz struck two consecutive forehand winners.

The former world #1 opened the fifth with a forehand drop volley and, with a forehand swing volley, held to 15 to consolidate the break for 4-1. Paul faced four deuce and six break points yet held with two outstanding winners and two unforced errors from Alcaraz.

The Spaniard, serving with new balls, hit his second ace and held to 15, while Paul, serving to stay in the set, held with two additional winners, including an ace out wide.
Alcaraz serving for the set opened with a double fault but held to 15 to secure it 6-3.

The American served first in the third and held to 30 while Alcaraz held to 15 to level with two spectacular inside-out forehands. Paul with the NYC crowd urging him on, missed five consecutive first serves and with a whiffed forehand pass, dumped serve.

Alcaraz held easily to 15 to consolidate the break for 3-1. Paul made 3/5 first serves, including a colossal one out wide, and held to 15 for 2-3 while Alcaraz opened with an ace up the tee and held to 15 for 4-2.

Paul held to 30 with his fourth ace while Alcaraz ripped two additional forehand winners and held to 15 for 5-3. Paul, serving to stay in the match, held at love following four consecutive errors from his opponent.

The two-time US Open champion served for the match and, though he faced double break point, silenced the partisan crowd and his opponent with two sensational forehand winners.
It was an entertaining, high-quality match that fans were hoping would go the distance. While Alcaraz seemed to purposefully take speed off his first delivery to protect his wrist, he amped it up when necessary.

The Spaniard finished with 3 aces, 2 double faults and won an impressive 72% of first and 62% of second serve points. He saved 3/4 break points while converting 4/14.

He’ll be ecstatic to triumph in straights as he prepares for the quarterfinals. He awaits the winner of the Ben Shelton/Stefanos Tsitsipas match. Alcaraz has a winning record against both (3-0 vs. Shelton & 6-0 vs. Tsitsipas), so either way he’ll be confident when he takes the court.