Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the US Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets win over Tommy Paul, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old Spaniard, returning from a four-month right wrist injury, dropped just one set in four rounds and extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 18. "I'm happy with that performance," Alcaraz said. "I played my game." When Paul pushed in the third set, Alcaraz hit a perfectly placed shot that left actor Matthew McConaughey and the crowd in disbelief. "I think so," Alcaraz said when asked if he's back to form. "The US Open is bringing that out in him."

The layoff has boosted Alcaraz's confidence. Earlier, he told reporters he plans to take more breaks within the tennis season. "It feels like I've been competing the whole time. So, I surprise myself the way that I'm feeling," he said.

Paul was among 10 Americans reaching the round of 16 — the most at a Grand Slam fourth round since the 2002 US Open. The five U.S. men — Paul, Ben Shelton, Learner Tien, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex Michelsen — are the most since eight in 1995. At 20, Tien is the youngest American man in the US Open fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002. Ben Shelton, the No. 8 seed, faces Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night at Ashe.