Alcaraz builds steam at US Open, Sabalenka and Noskova book showdown

NEW YORK, Sept 6 : Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz brought the firepower to take his place in the U.S. Open quarter-finals while Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova advanced on Sunday to set up a mouth-watering showdown between two big-hitting Grand Slam winners.

There were high expectations from American fans with seven home favourites scheduled to play across both singles draws, but day session defeats for Tommy Paul and Taylor Townsend dampened the spirits slightly.

But Frances Tiafoe dismantled 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev and fellow American Alex Michelsen beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry to keep the stars and stripes flying high before Ben Shelton, Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula take to the court.

Back to his irresistible best in his comeback tournament after nearly five months out with a wrist injury, second seed Alcaraz unleashed some stunning winners to thump Paul 6-4 6-3 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I'm really happy to see where my level is right now," Alcaraz told reporters. "Beating Tommy is always great feedback to see where you are, and I'm just really happy with everything I've done today.

"I saw the game really well, what I had to do in every moment, using the right things in every moment. Hopefully, I can keep it going."

Alcaraz hit perhaps the best of his many forehand rockets on the day to raise matchpoint and the 23-year-old eased through to send a warning to the depleted men's field in New York, where he is bidding to claim a third title.

"It felt like he's playing at a completely different level than me," Paul said.

"I could have played a lot better and still lost."

The year's final Grand Slam began without injured world number one Jannik Sinner and several other pullouts, while Novak Djokovic's first-round