Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz Cruise Into US Open Quarterfinals/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the U.S. Open quarterfinals with straight-set victories. Sabalenka overcame early service trouble to defeat Taylor Townsend, while Alcaraz controlled Tommy Paul to extend his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches. Frances Tiafoe, Alex Michelsen, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro secured two all-American quarterfinals.
Quick Look
- Aryna Sabalenka defeated Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3.
- Sabalenka will face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
- Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
- Alcaraz has lost only one set through four rounds.
- His Grand Slam winning streak reached 18 matches.
- Alcaraz will face No. 8 seed Ben Shelton.
- Frances Tiafoe upset seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev.
- Tiafoe will meet Alex Michelsen in an all-American quarterfinal.
- Jessica Pegula will face Emma Navarro in another all-American matchup.
- An American man is guaranteed to reach the semifinals.
Deep Look
Defending champions return to quarterfinals
NEW YORK — Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals Sunday, overcoming American opponents in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Top-ranked Sabalenka recovered from early difficulty on serve to defeat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3. Alcaraz followed with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tommy Paul.
The tournament’s official results confirmed both champions’ fourth-round victories.
Sabalenka recovers from early service problems
Townsend broke Sabalenka three times during the defending champion’s first four service games, creating an early opportunity for an upset.
Sabalenka eventually found her rhythm and used her power to take control. After falling behind 3-1 in the second set, she won the remaining five games without dropping a point.
“I love matches like that because it was really challenging,” Sabalenka said. “Going through tough challenges and overcoming those challenges, it definitely gives you strength and really strong belief that you can do it.”
Sabalenka has reached the quarterfinals without losing a set as she pursues a third consecutive U.S. Open singles championship.
Townsend leaves with greater confidence
Townsend tested Sabalenka with three early service breaks but struggled to maintain her level as the match progressed.
Although disappointed by the result, Townsend said the performance strengthened her belief that she can compete against the sport’s leading players.
“This was the most comfortable and confident I’ve ever been playing against a No. 1 player in the world,” Townsend said. “From the beginning, I felt like I belonged. From the beginning, I felt like I was right where I needed to be. I still feel that way.”
It was the first professional meeting between Sabalenka and Townsend.
Sabalenka prepares for Noskova
Sabalenka will next face reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskovawho needed six match points to defeat Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
Noskova’s aggressive groundstrokes and powerful serve are expected to present another demanding test.
“I played a couple of matches against her in the past, which also wasn’t the easiest matches,” Sabalenka said. “Really aggressive style of the game. Serving really well, playing super fast.”
The official U.S. Open roundup confirmed Noskova’s victory and the quarterfinal matchup between the two Grand Slam champions.
Alcaraz controls Tommy Paul
Alcaraz dictated play against Paul and continued an impressive return from the right wrist injury that kept him away from competition for more than four months.
The 23-year-old Spaniard has dropped only one set through four rounds and extended his winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments to 18 matches.
“I’m happy with that performance,” Alcaraz said. “I played my game. I tried to play my style.”
Paul made the third set competitive, but Alcaraz produced a precise shot near the line to set up match point before closing out the victory.
The win sent Alcaraz to his fifth quarterfinal in six U.S. Open appearances.
Alcaraz finds his form after injury absence
Before the tournament, Alcaraz said he would not have returned unless he believed he could play at his customary level.
Asked whether he had regained that form, Alcaraz responded, “I think so.”
“I’m just trying to enjoy my time on the court,” he said. “It doesn’t matter that I was out four months and a half. Every time that I come here, I play my best.”
Alcaraz will face American Ben Shelton on Tuesday. The eighth seed defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to arrange the quarterfinal meeting.
“We’re happy to have him back on tour,” Shelton said of Alcaraz. “He lights up the stadium every time he plays. I think it’s going to be fireworks on Tuesday night.”
American men secure semifinal place
Ten Americans reached the fourth round across the men’s and women’s singles, the country’s largest representation at that stage of a Grand Slam since 11 advanced at the 2002 U.S. Open.
Five American men—Paul, Shelton, Learner Tien, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen—reached the fourth round. That marked the largest U.S. men’s contingent at this stage of a major since eight advanced at the 1995 U.S. Open.
Tiafoe defeated seventh-seeded 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (6). The victory improved Tiafoe’s career record at Louis Armstrong Stadium to 10-0.
Michelsen advanced by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4.
Tiafoe and Michelsen will meet Tuesday, guaranteeing an American man a place in the semifinals. No American man has won a Grand Slam singles championship since Andy Roddick captured the 2003 U.S. Open.
Pegula and Navarro arrange all-American quarterfinal
The women’s draw will also feature an all-American quarterfinal.
Third-seeded Jessica Pegula defeated No. 16 Sorana Cirstea, while 26th-seeded Emma Navarro eliminated No. 21 Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets. Official results listed Pegula’s victory as 6-3, 6-4 and Navarro’s as 6-4, 6-2.
Pegula and Navarro will meet for a place in the semifinalsensuring that at least one American woman remains in contention during the tournament’s final stages.
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