Carlos Alcaraz moved into the US Open quarter-finals with a clinical straight-sets win over American Tommy Paul, showing no signs of the wrist injury that sidelined him for more than four months before the tournament.
The 23-year-old Spaniard, who has already completed the career Grand Slam, won 6-4 6-3 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes. He saved two set points in the third set with forehand winners.
“I played my game, tried to play my style,” Alcaraz said. “Tommy is such a talented player, his shots are dangerous so I tried to be ready for the battle, to be ready to run and be aggressive. I think I did it pretty well. Really happy with the performance today. Am I back to full power? I mean I think so.”
Paul, the 20th seed, had said before the match: “I like to think of myself as somebody who always thinks I can beat those (top) players.” But Alcaraz has now beaten the 29-year-old six times in a row, winning the last 14 sets they have contested.
Alcaraz will next face Ben Shelton, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas. Shelton’s powerful serving will provide a tough test for Alcaraz’s wrist.