Carlos Alcaraz absolutely shut down any lingering doubts about his return from long-term injury, putting on a masterful performance to beat Tommy Paul, the American 20th seed, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 at the US Open. This wasn’t just any win, either. The 23-year-old Spaniard was playing only his fourth competitive singles match after being out for more than four months. Forget rusty, this guy came out swinging like he never left.
Alcaraz’s Epic Comeback and an 18-Match Streak
Think about it: Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer because of a wrist injury. That’s a huge chunk of the season gone. But the kid didn’t just walk back onto the court, he exploded! He’d already snagged the last two Grand Slams, the US Open last year and the Australian Open earlier this year. Beating Paul in straight sets means Alcaraz has now extended his unbelievable run of match wins at the majors to an absurd 18 straight. He’s dropped only one set so far in New York! When they asked him if he’s back to “full power,” he just smiled and said, “I think so.” Honestly, that’s a terrifying thought for everyone else in the draw. This place is clearly special to him, as he’s made the quarter-finals every year except one since his 2021 US Open debut, always playing his best when he comes here.
Dominance Over Paul and That Unbelievable Shot
The match against Paul was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Paul battled hard, trying to reach the quarter-finals of his home Grand Slam for the first time, but Alcaraz was simply too strong. Early in the second set, Alcaraz smacked a cross-court forehand winner that landed from an almost impossible angle, and it was measured at a blistering 103 mph. That shot alone tells you everything you need to know about his form. He had already broken Paul’s serve in the 10th game of a tight first set to take it 6-4. Even when Paul got two break points as Alcaraz served for the match at 5-4 in the third, the two-time US Open champ just reeled off four straight points to seal the victory. Former British number one Tim Henman nailed it, saying if you gave Alcaraz a blank piece of paper at the start of the tournament, he would have “scripted it exactly like that.” That’s incredible confidence, and it’s earned.
What’s Next for the Champ?
Now, Alcaraz waits for his quarter-final opponent, either American eighth seed Ben Shelton or Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. Here’s the kicker: Alcaraz has never lost to either player at Tour level, beating Shelton three times and Tsitsipas a whopping six times. Still, former American player Jeff Tarango warned on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra that Shelton’s 149mph serve could be a “real test” for Alcaraz’s wrist. But honestly, if his wrist is fine, Alcaraz should get through. The question isn’t if he can win, it’s how many more impossible shots will he hit on the way to another major? You gotta tune in to see this run continue!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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