US Open 2026: Alcaraz vs Paul Preview — Round of 16 Showdown at Arthur Ashe
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz takes on No. 21 Tommy Paul in the Round of 16 of the 2026 US Open, a rematch of a rivalry Alcaraz has dominated for most of its history.
Match Details
- Round: Round of 16
- Court: Arthur Ashe Stadium
- Order of play: Match No. 2, not before 2:00 PM EDT, following Sabalenka vs Townsend
The Head-to-Head Picture
Alcaraz leads the series 6-2, with the two most recent meetings both going his way:
- 2026, Australian Open, Round of 16 (Outdoor Hard): Alcaraz won 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5
- 2025, Roland Garros, Quarterfinal (Outdoor Clay): Alcaraz won 6-0, 6-1, 6-4
- 2024, Paris Olympics, Quarterfinal (Outdoor Clay): Alcaraz won 6-3, 7-6(7)
- 2024, Wimbledon, Quarterfinal (Outdoor Grass): Alcaraz won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
- 2023, ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati, Round of 16 (Outdoor Hard): Alcaraz won 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 6-3
- 2023, ATP Masters 1000 Canada, Quarterfinal (Outdoor Hard): Paul won 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
- 2023, ATP Masters 1000 Miami, Round of 16 (Outdoor Hard): Alcaraz won 6-4, 6-4
- 2022, ATP Masters 1000 Canada, Round of 32 (Outdoor Hard): Paul won 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 6-3
Paul’s two wins both came on hard courts and both went the distance, showing that when conditions and rhythm favor him, he’s capable of testing Alcaraz over three tight sets.
By the Numbers
| Carlos Alcaraz | Tommy Paul | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | 3 | 21 |
| Age | 23 | 29 |
| Height | 6’0″ (183cm) | 6’1″ (185cm) |
| Plays | Right-Handed | Right-Handed |
| 2026 YTD W/L | 22-3 | 36-16 |
| Career titles | 26 | 5 |
| Career prize money | $64,997,598 | $15,179,863 |
What to Watch For
Alcaraz’s blend of shot-making, movement, and clutch execution has made him nearly unbeatable against Paul in recent years, especially on clay and grass. But the hard courts of Flushing Meadows are where Paul has found his two career wins in this rivalry, and he’ll need to lean on his flat, aggressive baseline game and strong return to keep points short. Still, with Alcaraz’s recent form and a 4-0 record in their last four meetings, he heads into this Round of 16 clash as the heavy favorite to reach the quarterfinals.
Match time is an estimate based on scheduled order of play and may shift depending on the duration of the Sabalenka vs Townsend match preceding it.
