Carlos Alcaraz: “I Feel Capable of Winning the Tournament” — Defending Champion Dismisses Tommy Paul to Reach US Open Quarterfinals
Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Flushing Meadows with low expectations and high hopes—a lethal combination that continues to pay massive dividends for the defending champion. On Sunday, the 23-year-old Spaniard systematically dismantled American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium to storm into the 2026 US Open quarterfinals.
Entering the tournament after a four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury, Alcaraz’s decision to launch his comeback at the sport’s most grueling Grand Slam was viewed by many pundits as a calculated risk. A week into the fortnight, that gamble looks brilliantly calculated.
Having dropped just a single set through four rounds, Alcaraz extended his US Open match win streak to 11 and pushed his career-best Grand Slam winning streak to 18 consecutive victories.
“Well, the grade is pretty high,” Alcaraz reflected in Spanish during his post-match press conference. “I think I’d give myself a B both for the tournament and for today.”
Critical Self-Evaluation Fueling Dominance
Despite surrendering just a single service break against Paul, Alcaraz holds himself to an exceptionally high standard. The World No. 3 noted that he felt his serving performance could improve—a surprising self-assessment given he remains one of only four men in the draw holding serve at over 90% through four matches.
“I just have to be hard on myself, saying again, the serves can be better,” Alcaraz admitted. “There are a lot of things I can improve. I want to feel more comfortable in certain moments, but overall I’m very happy with how things are going.”
From Health Doubts to Title Ambitions
Navigating the early rounds without wrist discomfort has unlocked a new tier of confidence for the seven-time major champion, who now sits three wins away from becoming the first man to defend the US Open title since Roger Federer completed his five-peat in 2008.
“At the beginning of the tournament, I didn’t come in with any expectations. It was simply about coming here and seeing how my body responded, how my wrist responded in particular, and above all enjoying being back in competition,” Alcaraz explained.
“After four very good matches, now I feel capable of winning the tournament.”
Treating Every Match as a Gift
While an eighth Grand Slam trophy and a third crown in New York are within his sights, Alcaraz remains grounded, drawing energy from the pure joy of competing healthy on tennis’ biggest stage.
“I still have the same expectations, the same mentality of knowing that every time I step onto the court, it’s a gift and it’s a moment to enjoy,” Alcaraz said. “And I’m sticking to what I’ve been saying: I don’t know when my last match is going to be. For me it continues to be a gift to be able to compete once again, to be able to step back onto the court for a US Open quarterfinal. We’re going to try to enjoy it.”
Alcaraz will face American powerhouse Ben Shelton in a highly anticipated Tuesday quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows.
