NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz is looking increasingly like the defending champion who conquered Flushing Meadows last year.
After more than four months away from competitive tennis because of a right wrist injury, the second-seeded Spaniard has returned to the US Open without showing the rust many expected. His latest statement came Sunday, when he dismantled American 20th seed Tommy Paul, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the quarterfinals.
And now, waiting on the other side of the net, is one of the most dangerous American players in the tournament: eighth seed Ben Shelton.
Alcaraz turns up the heat
Paul represented Alcaraz’s toughest challenge of the tournament to that point, but the Spaniard responded with the kind of aggressive, high-speed tennis that has made him one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Alcaraz produced 33 winners during the two-hour, 20-minute battle and repeatedly used his movement and shot-making to keep Paul under pressure.
The match was particularly significant because it was Alcaraz’s first tournament since April, when his right wrist injury forced him away from the ATP Tour.
Instead of looking hesitant, he appeared increasingly confident as the match progressed.
“I played my game,” Alcaraz said after the victory, explaining that he focused on staying aggressive against an opponent whose powerful shots could make rallies difficult to control.
He also showed composure when it mattered most.
Serving for the match, Alcaraz faced two break points but escaped both. He then finished with a swinging forehand volley followed by a forehand winner, needing only one match point to close out the contest.
Then came Shelton
While Alcaraz was powering past Paul, Ben Shelton was putting together perhaps his best performance of the tournament.
The eighth-seeded American overwhelmed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium to book his place in the quarterfinals.
Shelton’s performance was particularly impressive because he did not face a single break point against the Greek star. He fired 11 aces and won 83 percent of his first-serve points, according to the official US Open report.
The victory also marked Shelton’s return to the US Open quarterfinals for the first time since his breakthrough run to the semifinals in 2023.
The American is coming into the showdown with plenty of confidence after winning the Montreal Masters title in August and now has the home crowd behind him.
But there is one major problem.
Alcaraz owns the head-to-head edge
Shelton has faced Alcaraz three times—and has lost all three.
Their most recent meeting came at the 2025 French Open, where Shelton managed to take a set from the Spaniard before Alcaraz won in four sets and eventually captured the title.
Shelton knows exactly what kind of challenge is coming.
The American described Alcaraz’s level since returning from his injury layoff as “superhuman” and predicted that their quarterfinal would be “fireworks.”
That matchup is now set for Tuesday night at the US Open, with a semifinal berth on the line.
A bigger prize is waiting
For Alcaraz, the stakes extend far beyond another quarterfinal.
The Spaniard is chasing a second straight US Open championship and his third title at Flushing Meadows. His impressive return has immediately revived expectations that he can make another deep run despite spending months on the sidelines.
The tournament has also produced a strong American storyline, with Shelton and Frances Tiafoe both reaching the men’s quarterfinals. Tiafoe defeated former champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets and will meet fellow American Alex Michelsen in the last eight.
But all eyes will soon turn to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz has returned from injury looking sharper with every round. Shelton has the serve, power and home crowd to make life difficult.
One of them will leave the US Open quarterfinals one step away from the title.
And if Shelton’s prediction is right, New York could be in for fireworks.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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