AP
APTOPIX US Open Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, reacts during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Tommy Paul, of the United States, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in New York.
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Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz made getting back to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open look easy, even if their paths there felt more difficult than they looked. The top-ranked Sabalenka solved some early struggles to hold serve and overpower Taylor Townsend. Alcaraz also advanced in straight sets, beating Tommy Paul. Next up for Sabalenka is Linda Noskova, who won Wimbledon earlier this year. Townsend and Paul were among the 10 Americans to reach the fourth round, the most at a Grand Slam since 2002.
