Paul test passed: Carlos Alcaraz books Australian Open Quarter-Final spot

Carlos Alcaraz faced his biggest test so far of the 2026 Australian Open on Sunday afternoon but he overcame Tommy Paul to book his spot in the Quarter-Finals surging through 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5 with incredible shotmaking on the menu throughout.

Paul had beaten Alcaraz twice before with victories in Canada being his highlight but despite showing the threat he poses, Alcaraz recovered and produced incredible tennis to come from 4-2 down early on Rod Laver Arena.

He hit 35 winners and now faces either Alex de Minaur or Alexander Bublik in the Quarter-Finals. He also stayed on track to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Rafael Nadal currently holds that record.

In the first set, it went to a tie-break. Paul was on the defensive though fending off set point a 5-6 but he gifted Alcaraz the set from there with a double fault at 6-7. Alcaraz rode that to claim a break of serve in the third game of the second set.

After saving three break points to hold at 2-1 in the third game of the third set, he was unable to reproduce that as Alcaraz claimed his third break of the match before serving it out to improve to 6-2 over Paul.

"I think he started pretty strong in the first game serving. I thought I played a good game, though. He came with really strong shots, really flat, and for me it was a little bit difficult, but he stayed there all the time," said Alcaraz on court.

“I knew I was going to have my chances, and I tried to take them in the first set, and I think I did. Overall, it’s been a really high level of tennis from both sides, and I’m just really, really happy that I got it done in straight sets.”

"As I said, the serve is something I’ve been working on for a long time, so for me, I’m just really, really happy to see the improvement, to have a high serve percentage. After every set, I just try to check it out — my serve percentage.”

He also jokingly referenced Novak Djokovic saying they had to have a contract for the use of his similar serve.

"I heard that. I have the contract over there, but I haven’t seen him yet. It was funny because in the preseason, some videos came up with the movement, and to be honest, I wasn’t aware that it was really similar to Nole’s serve. One day I woke up, checked my phone, and I had a message from Djokovic saying, ‘Alright, you have to pay me for the serve before the season starts."

He was also asked if he was playing the crowd by changing his shirt on court. “No, to be honest, I just want to feel comfortable for the interview with you. It’s really hot here, and I didn’t want to do the interview wearing a sweatshirt. That’s the only reason. I’m just happy that the people like it, I guess.”

As well as discussing his next opponent who is De Minaur or Bublik.

“First of all, I’m definitely going to watch the match and try to take some tactical things from it. Both players are incredible. Sascha Bublik is playing great tennis, and his style can be uncomfortable for opponents, so I’ve got to be ready if I play him. Obviously, Alex will be playing with the home crowd, and he feels really comfortable here.

“If I play him, I have to be aware of everything he does well and stay focused on my own tennis. I understand the crowd will be for him, and that’s fine. It’s going to be a really interesting one. I’m really excited about playing another quarterfinal here in Melbourne for the third year in a row, and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got to be ready.”