Super-Human

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz posted his most convincing win in his injury return at the US Open, downing Tommy Paul in straight sets on Sunday to line up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton. Two-time women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also advanced, booking a last-eight date with Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.

Second-seeded Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since he was sidelined by a right wrist injury in April, looked closer to his brilliant best in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Paul. "I played my game," said Alcaraz, who unleashed 33 winners in the two-hour 20-minute match.

"Fireworks on Tuesday night"

Shelton, who needed four sets in each of his first three matches, raised his game to dismantle former world number three Tsitsipas in just one hour and 52 minutes. The American blasted a dozen aces and never faced a break point.

"I think the level that he's been playing at is really, really impressive," Shelton said of Alcaraz. "To not play for five months then do what he's done so far this tournament has been super-human." He added: "I think it's going to be fireworks on Tuesday night."