Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz has continued his return from injury with a very impressive fourth-round victory against Tommy Paul at the US Open.
Playing his fourth competitive singles match after an absence of more than four months, 23-year-old Alcaraz delivered a masterful performance to defeat American 20th seed Paul 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Alcaraz has dropped only one set on his way to the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows and his opponent in the last eight will be either American eighth seed Ben Shelton or Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer because of a wrist injury
He had won the past two Grand Slams – last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open – meaning the straight-set win over Paul extended his run of match wins at the majors to 18.
Asked on court if he is back to “full power”, Alcaraz replied: “I think so. Except for one year since [his US Open debut in] 2021, I’ve made the quarter-finals here. That shows how special this place is to me and shows how well I’m playing every time I come here.
“I just try to enjoy my time on the court and it doesn’t matter that I was out for four and a half months – every time I come here, I play my best.”
“If Shelton were to come through, he is the kind of player that can knock the racquet out of your hand,” said American former player Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
“It’s going to be a real test to see how Alcaraz’s wrist is with a 149mph serve coming to that forehand, but Alcaraz should get through Shelton if his wrist is fine.”
