Carlos Alcaraz continued his return from a long-term wrist injury with a commanding 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tommy Paul in the fourth round of the US Open.
The 23-year-old Spaniard was playing only his fourth competitive singles match after an absence of more than four months. He has dropped just one set on his way to the quarter-finals and will next face American eighth seed Ben Shelton.
Alcaraz missed the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer because of his wrist injury. The straight-set victory over Paul extended his winning run at Grand Slam tournaments to 18 matches, following his titles at last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open.
He has taken a cautious approach to recovery during this year’s tournament, placing greater emphasis on rest and preparation between matches. Alcaraz said he had been focused on working with his team and staying healthy ahead of each round.
His performance against Paul also underlined the quality of his shot-making. One cross-court forehand winner early in the second set was measured at 103mph.
Shelton reached the quarter-finals later on Sunday by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. Alcaraz has won all three of his previous Tour-level meetings with the American.
Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen also reached the last eight, strengthening American hopes of a first men’s singles Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. Tiafoe defeated 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev, while Michelsen beat Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry.