Sports

Sabalenka, Alcaraz Advance to U.S. Open Quarterfinals in Straight Sets

By The Associated Press Opens in new window

NEW YORK — Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Sunday with straight-set victories. Top-ranked Sabalenka overcame a shaky start to defeat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3, while Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the day's second match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz expressed satisfaction with his performance. "I'm happy with that performance," he said. "I played my game. I tried to play my style. Tommy's such a talented player. His shots are pretty dangerous and it's sometimes pretty difficult to control the ball when it comes to you, so I just tried to be ready."

Townsend broke Sabalenka's serve three times during the opening four service games, threatening an upset. However, Sabalenka regained her composure and did not drop another point after trailing 3-1 in the second set. "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."

The match marked the first meeting between the two players. Townsend, despite the loss, described it as her most confident performance against a world No. 1. "This was the most comfortable and confident I've ever been playing against a No. 1 player in the world," she 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."

Sabalenka will next face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who defeated Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 after needing six match points. Sabalenka noted the challenge ahead: "I played a couple of matches against her in the past, which also wasn't the easiest matches. Really aggressive style of the game. Serving really well, playing super fast. You've got to stay really low to be able to handle that power and energy."

Alcaraz, playing in his first tournament after a four-month absence due to a right wrist injury, has dropped only one set through four rounds. The 23-year-old Spaniard extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches. During a tense third set against Paul, Alcaraz produced a shot so precise that it left actor Matthew McConaughey and other spectators stunned as he set up match point.

When asked if he felt fully returned to form, Alcaraz replied, "I think so." He added, "I'm just trying to enjoy my time on the court. 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 next play American Ben Shelton, the No. 8 seed, on Tuesday. Shelton advanced by sweeping Stefanos Tsitsipas in his best performance of the tournament so far. "We're happy to have him back on tour. He lights up the stadium every time he plays," Shelton said of Alcaraz. "I think it's going to be fireworks on Tuesday night."

American players are making a strong showing at this year's tournament. Townsend and Paul were among 10 Americans who reached the round of 16 in singles, the most at any Grand Slam since the 2002 U.S. Open, which had 11. The five American men in the round of 16 — Paul, Shelton, Learner Tien, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen — represent the largest group since eight reached that stage in 1995 at Flushing Meadows.

"American tennis has been on the up and up for many years now," Townsend said. "There have been a really consistent chunk of players — Jess, Coco — who have been at the top and inside the top five for the last, I don't know how many years. Ben, Frances, Tommy, Taylor: It's just such a great group of men, as well."

At 20 years old, Tien became the youngest American man to reach the U.S. Open fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002. Tiafoe defeated seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (6), improving his career record at Louis Armstrong Stadium to 10-0. He referred to the venue as "the people's court." Michelsen defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4.

Michelsen and Tiafoe are set to face each other in Tuesday's quarterfinals, ensuring an American man reaches the semifinals. No American man has won a Grand Slam title since Roddick's U.S. Open victory in 2003.

The women's quarterfinals will also feature an all-American matchup. No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula advanced by defeating No. 16 Sorana Cirstea and will face 26th-seeded Emma Navarro, who eliminated No. 21 Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets.