Alcaraz and Sabalenka Reach US Open Quarter-Finals as Tiafoe Downs Medvedev

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka both reached the US Open quarter-finals in straight sets on Sunday, with the defending champions making comfortable work of their fourth round opponents.

Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, extending a run that has seen him drop only one set across four matches in his first tournament back from a four-month absence.

Alcaraz Untroubled

The Spaniard has not played competitively since April, when a right wrist injury forced him out of the Barcelona Open and went on to cost him the French Open and Wimbledon. He said before the tournament that he would not have returned if he could not play to his usual standard.

He was pleased with his display against Paul, saying he had played his own game and his own style. He described the American's shots as dangerous and difficult to control, and said he had focused on staying ready.

Alcaraz is seeded second, a position he inherited when world number one Jannik Sinner withdrew on 21 August with a knee injury. He is chasing a third US Open title and an eighth major overall.

Sabalenka Overcomes Townsend

Sabalenka came through 6-4, 6-3 against Taylor Townsend, having worked past some early difficulty holding serve. The world number one is attempting to become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams managed it between 2012 and 2014.

She faces Linda Noskova next and spoke about the challenge that presents, describing her opponent's aggressive style, her serving and the pace she generates.

Noskova reached the last eight by beating Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

Tiafoe Keeps Perfect Record

The upset of the round came on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where Frances Tiafoe knocked out seventh seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Tiafoe saved a set point in the third and produced a remarkable shot to extend the tiebreak before closing it out. The win takes his career record on that court to 10 matches and 10 wins. He said afterwards that he could hear the noise from the crowd and that playing there had been an amazing experience.

Elsewhere in the men's draw, Alex Michelsen beat 27th seed Tomas Etcheverry 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 to continue a strong run. Ben Shelton and Stefanos Tsitsipas met in the remaining fourth-round tie in that half.

The Rest of the Draw

Jessica Pegula faced 16th seed Sorana Cirstea, with Anna Kalinskaya meeting Emma Navarro in the other women's fourth-round match on that side.

The tournament has already lost one of its biggest names. Novak Djokovic was beaten in the first round by Mariano Navone in five sets, his first opening-round defeat at Flushing Meadows and his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades.

The women's final takes place on 12 September, with the men's final the following day.