New York – The U.S. Open entered the business end of the tournament on Tuesday, delivering two marquee quarter‑final matches that captured the attention of tennis fans across the country.
Alcaraz vs. Shelton: A Home‑Court Test
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish second seed, faced a formidable challenge in American Ben Shelton. Alcaraz, fresh from a straight‑sets demolition of Tommy Paul in the round of 16, said he was pleased with his current level, noting that beating Paul provided valuable feedback.
Shelton, who has yet to defeat Alcaraz in three attempts, praised the Spaniard’s return to form after a five‑month wrist injury layoff. “He’s playing at an extremely high level. He looks very normal, which is impressive after not playing for five months,” Shelton said. The American highlighted his own improvements, especially in serving and baseline play, and expressed excitement for the upcoming battle on the iconic Flushing Meadows courts.
If Alcaraz advances, he could meet either Frances Tiafoe or Alex Michelsen in the semifinals, setting up a potential all‑American showdown.
Sabalenka vs. Noskova: A Quest for a Three‑Peat
Belarusian top seed Aryna Sabalenka entered the quarterfinals with a perfect record at the U.S. Open this year, having not dropped a set. She faced Czech sixth seed Linda Noskova, the surprise Wimbledon champion who recently claimed her first Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka praised Noskova’s aggressive style, noting her powerful serve and fast pace. “You have to stay low to handle that power and energy,” Sabalenka said. Despite a 2‑0 head‑to‑head advantage, Sabalenka cautioned against complacency, recalling past tight matches against the Czech.
Noskova, meanwhile, prepared for what she described as “fast tennis” against the player who completed the prestigious Sunshine Double earlier in the season. She acknowledged Sabalenka’s recent successes but remained confident in her own game plan.
Other Quarterfinal Action
The U.S. Open also featured two all‑American men’s matches: Frances Tiafoe versus Alex Michelsen, and Jessica Pegula taking on Emma Navarro. These contests added further excitement for American fans hoping to see home‑grown talent advance deep into the tournament.
All quarterfinal matches were scheduled for Tuesday, with the Alcaraz‑Shelton clash kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Arthur Ashe Stadium, followed by the Sabalenka‑Noskova match at 5:30 p.m. ET.
As the tournament moves toward its final weekend, the outcomes of these quarterfinals will determine which players have the chance to compete for the coveted U.S. Open titles.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
