Official US Open match records confirm Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round, extending his hard-court Slam win streak to 18.
Carlos Alcaraz extends hard court run to 18
Defending champion reaches US Open quarterfinals after straight-sets win over Tommy Paul.
In a nutshell
After missing two Grand Slam tournaments with a severe right wrist injury, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz completed an emphatic return to form in New York by sweeping Tommy Paul in straight sets. The clinical fourth-round victory extended Alcaraz's hard-court major winning streak to 18 consecutive matches, verified his wrist is completely healed, and propelled the world number two into his fifth career US Open quarterfinal against eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton.
Highlights
- Carlos Alcaraz swept Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his fifth career US Open quarterfinal.
- The victory extended Alcaraz's winning streak at hard-court Grand Slam tournaments to 18 consecutive matches.
- Alcaraz won 75 percent of his first-serve points and converted four service breaks during the match.
- The win marked Alcaraz's 11th consecutive match victory at the US Open.
- Alcaraz previously missed both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2026 due to a right wrist injury sustained in Barcelona.
Alcaraz tournament milestones
match winsThe findingAlcaraz has sustained an unblemished 18-match run across hard-court majors, anchored by 11 consecutive wins in New York.
- Active tournament and surface winning streaks recorded by Carlos Alcaraz at the 2026 US Open.
- Hard-court Grand Slam streak — Consecutive match wins spanning the Australian Open and US Open
- Shows championship durability across hard surfaces as Alcaraz enters the quarterfinals.
From the Editor’s Diary
Championship pedigree ultimately hinges on physical resilience, and Alcaraz's seamless transition from a multi-month injury layoff to hard-court dominance reaffirms that elite mechanics can withstand prolonged competitive disruption.
Who's involved
Carlos Alcaraz
Spanish world number two and defending US Open champion
goal → Defend his title and confirm a full recovery from his right wrist injury
Tommy Paul
American seeded contender
goal → Secure a home-court upset to reach the US Open quarterfinals
Ben Shelton
American eighth seed
goal → Upset Alcaraz in the upcoming quarterfinal match
In short
TL;DR: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz swept Tommy Paul in straight sets to reach the US Open quarterfinals, proving his right wrist has healed while extending his hard-court Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches.
Q: How did Carlos Alcaraz perform in his return to major hard-court tennis?
- Swept American opponent Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round.
Previously in this story
Carlos Alcaraz overcomes deficit to advance at US Open
6 September 2026Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz shook off an early set loss to beat Portugal's Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in New York.Carlos Alcaraz sweeps opener after four-month wrist absence
2 September 2026The defending champion swept past Roman Safiullin in straight sets at the US Open after missing two majors with an injured wrist.Carlos Alcaraz opens US Open title defense after four-month layoff
31 August 2026Spanish world number three returns to Grand Slam action after wrist injury
How it unfolded
From Spring Injury to Assured Return
Alcaraz's commanding run in New York follows months of acute uncertainty. A severe right wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April forced him out of both the French Open and Wimbledon, stalling a dominant season that began with his Australian Open triumph in January. His return at Flushing Meadows erased lingering doubts after he defeated Roman Safiullin in the opening round and confirmed his joint was completely pain-free.
Alcaraz Dispatches Paul to Reach Quarterfinals
Carlos Alcaraz seized immediate control from the baseline against Tommy Paul on Arthur Ashe Stadium, dictating the tempo across three disciplined sets. The Spaniard extinguished his opponent's challenge in straight sets to advance to the round of eight.
Baseline Dominance Extends Hard-Court Run
Facing Paul in the fourth round, Alcaraz converted four service breaks and won 75 percent of his first-serve points to close out a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 triumph. The clinical victory marked his 11th straight win at the US Open, pushed his hard-court Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches, and booked his fifth career quarterfinal appearance in New York.
Where things stand
Carlos Alcaraz moves into the 2026 US Open quarterfinals with no physical setbacks reported in his right wrist. He remains on Arthur Ashe Stadium for his next match against American eighth seed Ben Shelton.