New York, Sept. 7 -- Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz beat 20th-seeded Tommy Paul in straight sets to reach his fifth US Open quarterfinal, while top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to make the last eight for the sixth consecutive year.
Sabalenka and Townsend broke serve through the first five games. Two-time US Open champion Sabalenka led 5-2 before Townsend pulled two games back, and Sabalenka closed out the set with a forehand winner on serve. Townsend broke first in the second set and led 3-1 before Sabalenka won five straight games on Sunday.
Sabalenka, whose 99 consecutive weeks at No. 1 rank sixth all time, said maintaining her level demands more than some may realize.
"Probably they don't unders...