Alcaraz Dominates: Sinner’s Biggest Rival Advances to the US Open Quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz continues his run at the 2026 U.S. Open. The Spaniard defeated American Tommy Paul without much difficulty and advanced to the quarterfinals after a three-set match that ended 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, following two hours and twenty minutes of play. The world No. 3 dominated the match, giving his opponent few opportunities and maintaining control of the rallies throughout. In the quarterfinals, he’ll face the winner of the match between American Ben Shelton and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In the first set, both players held their serves until the tenth game. That’s when Alcaraz turned up the pressure and earned two consecutive break points. He failed to convert the first, but on the second, Paul committed a forehand error, allowing the Spaniard to close out the set 6-4.

Alcaraz also started strong in the second set and immediately broke serve. Paul reacted immediately, but the Spaniard regained a one-break lead in the next game. In the sixth game, the American manages to save himself from a difficult situation, fending off six break points, but it’s not enough to shift the momentum of the match. Alcaraz closes out the set 6-3 and moves one set away from the quarterfinals.

In the third set, the Spaniard breaks as early as the third game and appears to be cruising toward victory. Paul tried to get back into the match late on, earning two break points in the tenth game, but Alcaraz remained composed, saved both, and closed out the match 6-4 on his first match point.