The reigning champions, Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, have successfully reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, showcasing their prowess with relative ease.
Top-seeded Sabalenka overcame some initial difficulties in her service game, ultimately overpowering Taylor Townsend with a score of 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday. Similarly, Alcaraz progressed in straight sets, defeating Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the second match held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
“I am pleased with that performance,” Alcaraz remarked. “I played my style of game and focused on my approach. Tommy is an incredibly skilled player; his shots can be quite threatening, making it challenging to manage the ball, so I aimed to stay prepared.”
Townsend managed to break Sabalenka’s serve three times during her first four service games, aiming for an upset. However, Sabalenka found her rhythm, regained her confidence, and did not lose another point after trailing 3-1 in the second set.
“I enjoy matches like this because they are truly challenging,” Sabalenka stated. “Facing difficult situations and overcoming them definitely strengthens your belief in your abilities.”
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This match marked the first encounter between Sabalenka and Townsend, who managed to challenge her opponent in the initial set but struggled to establish her own momentum.
“I felt more comfortable and confident than ever playing against a world No. 1,” Townsend reflected. “From the outset, I felt like I belonged and that I was exactly where I needed to be. That feeling remains.”
Sabalenka’s next challenge is Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who required six match points to defeat Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
“I’ve faced her a few times before, and those matches were far from easy,” Sabalenka commented about Noskova. “She plays with a very aggressive style, serving well and moving quickly. You need to stay low to manage her power and energy.”
Alcaraz dominates Paul
After a four-month absence due to a right wrist injury, Alcaraz stated last week that he would not return unless he could perform at his usual level. The 23-year-old Spaniard has succeeded in this regard, dropping only one set across four rounds.
Alcaraz controlled the match, extending his Grand Slam winning streak to 18. When Paul started to make the third set competitive, Alcaraz set up match point with an impeccable shot that left actor Matthew McConaughey and many spectators in awe.
When asked if he feels he has regained his form, Alcaraz replied, “I believe so.” The U.S. Open seems to be bringing out the best in him.
“I’m simply trying to enjoy my time on the court,” Alcaraz said. “It doesn’t matter that I was out for four and a half months. Whenever I come here, I strive to play my best.”
Alcaraz is set to face American Ben Shelton, the No. 8 seed, on Tuesday after Shelton’s impressive victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night.
“We’re thrilled to see him back on tour. He brings excitement to the stadium every time he plays,” Shelton said about Alcaraz. “I expect it to be an explosive match on Tuesday night.”
Both Townsend and Paul were among the ten American players who reached the Round of 16 in the men’s and women’s categories, marking the highest number in the fourth round of any Grand Slam in nearly 25 years, since the 2002 U.S. Open when there were 11.
The five U.S. men—Paul, Shelton, Learner Tien, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex Michelsen—represent the largest contingent at a major since eight American men advanced in 1995 at Flushing Meadows.
“American tennis has been improving steadily for many years,” Townsend noted. “There has been a consistent group of players—Jess, Coco—who have consistently ranked at the top for several years. Ben, Frances, Tommy, Taylor: it’s a fantastic group of men as well.”
At just 20, Tien is the youngest American man to reach the U.S. Open fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002.
Tiafoe triumphed over seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev with scores of 7-6 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (6), improving to an impressive 10-0 record at Louis Armstrong Stadium, which he referred to as “the people’s court.” Michelsen defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4.
Michelsen and Tiafoe are set to clash in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, ensuring that at least one American man will progress to the semifinals. No American man has secured a Grand Slam title since Roddick’s victory in New York in 2003.
An all-American showdown is also set for the women’s quarterfinals. No. 3 Jessica Pegula reached this stage by defeating No. 16 Sorana Cirstea and will compete against 26th-seeded Emma Navarro, who eliminated No. 21 Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets.
