Alcaraz faces all-American gauntlet at US Open as Sabalenka targets three-peat

New York, September 7 – The 2026 US Open enters the quarter-final stage with high-octane matches. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces American eighth seed Ben Shelton, while Aryna Sabalenka aims for her third straight Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows. Two all-American clashes are also set to heat up the stands. Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, is no stranger to playing the villain on American soil. He won the tournament in 2026 and 2026, but this time his path is full of obstacles. After a convincing 3-0 win over Tommy Paul in the fourth round, the Spaniard now faces Ben Shelton, who thrives on home support. “Shelton is a really powerful player. He uses the crowd, the people behind him, especially when he's playing here at home,” Alcaraz said. He also noted that beating Tommy Paul provides positive feedback on his current level after nearly five months off with a wrist injury. Alcaraz has returned impressively, dropping no sets so far. Even Ben Shelton, who has lost all three previous meetings, praised his opponent's practice level: “He's playing extremely high level. To me, he looks very normal – his normal, I mean – which is impressive after not playing for five months.” Shelton believes he has improved a lot since the Roland Garros 2026 defeat, especially in serving, returning, consistency and movement. This match is not just a generational clash, but a tactical duel. Numbers don't lie, but they know how to stay silent. Shelton's 0-3 head-to-head record reflects Alcaraz's superiority, but tennis isn't decided by history. Shelton possesses a powerful serve, which can exceed 230 km/h, creating immense pressure. Alcaraz, meanwhile, is famous for his court reading and agile movement. If Shelton wants to cause an upset, he must maintain a high first-serve percentage and attack decisively. Conversely, Alcaraz will try to drag the match into long rallies where his consistency becomes a lethal weapon. From another perspective, an empty stadium lets me hear the footsteps of space – but on Arthur Ashe tonight, the weight of twenty thousand American fans will rest on Alcaraz's shoulders. He has experienced this atmosphere, even won here, but pressure is unpredictable. Shelton can play freely with nothing to lose, making him dangerous. On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka has been playing destructive tennis. The world number one has not lost a set in the tournament and has won 11 consecutive matches in New York. She is desperate to complete the three-peat, a feat she missed at the Australian Open earlier this year. In front of her stands Linda Noskova, the sixth seed and this year's surprising Wimbledon champion. Sabalenka acknowledged her opponent's strength: “Linda is another great player. Just won Wimbledon, really aggressive style of the game. Serving really well, playing super fast. You've got to stay really low to be able to handle that power and energy.” Noskova, despite being only 20, showed remarkable poise when winning at the All England Club. In March, she had a very good match against Sabalenka in the Indian Wells semi-final but lost in a close battle. “In Indian Wells, it was a tough one, a close one, but she did well,” Noskova recalled. She expects “fast tennis” in the next match, where every shot counts. In their head-to-head history, Sabalenka leads 2-0, but numbers don't tell the whole story. Every rally starts with an intention, even an unconscious one. Noskova returns serve extremely well, breaking down strong servers. She also has the spirit of a young champion, unafraid and bold. However, lack of experience in big matches could be a weakness, but if she repeats her Wimbledon form, anything is possible. The tournament also features two all-American matches. Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed, will meet young talent Alex Michelsen. Tiafoe reached the semi-finals here in 2026, while Michelsen is in great form with wins over his compatriots. This match could be an emotional showdown with both players eager to go deep on home soil. In the women's draw, Jessica Pegula, the third seed, faces Emma Navarro. Pegula is one of the most consistent players on hard courts, while Navarro is into her first Grand Slam quarter-final. Navarro is admired for her tenacity and smart court sense. Tuesday's action is considered the decisive turning point of the tournament. We are used to Alcaraz and Sabalenka being champions, but tennis is famous for surprises. Don't forget that victory is a chain of controlled errors better than the opponent's. Whoever makes fewer mistakes in crucial moments will book a semi-final spot. The day's schedule also reflects the grueling nature. For Alcaraz, maintaining fitness after a long layoff is a huge challenge. For Shelton, exploiting home advantage is key. On court, the smallest details, from movement to ball placement, can decide the match. This makes their encounter even more unpredictable. Tactically, Alcaraz must stay calm when facing thunderous serves. Shelton himself said he is serving better and returning better. That's a worrying sign from a Grand Slam semi-finalist. If the match goes to four or five sets, fitness will be key, and Alcaraz may have an edge given his experience in long battles. Sabalenka also knows Noskova is not an easy opponent. The two-time defending champion has learned to cope with pressure after a successful season at Indian Wells and Miami. She said: “I've played a few matches against her, and they weren't easy, so I need to prepare well.” Can Noskova shock the world? That's a question worth waiting for. For Vietnamese tennis fans, these matches will take place tonight and early tomorrow morning Hanoi time. Don't miss the top-class action. Regardless of the result, fans can expect a historic US Open quarter-final day full of emotions.