US Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz gobsmacked live on TV as Serena Williams controversy erupts
The 2026 US Open has now entered its second week as Carlos Alcaraz moved a step closer to making more tennis history after cruising into the quarter-finals in the early hours of Monday morning.
Alcaraz dismantled American Tommy Paul in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to move into the final eight. The 23-year-old will face Ben Shelton, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, in what will be the first genuine blockbuster match in the men’s draw.
But the Spaniard was left stunned after his victory when he realised during an interview with former world No 1 Andy Roddick that he actually thought he would be facing either Frances Tiafoe or Daniil Medvedev in the last eight.
Meanwhile, the International Tennis Writers’ Association voiced its frustration after Serena and Venus Williams bypassed media obligations at the US Open.
sisters declined to speak to the media following their opening-round loss in women’s doubles against Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching on Friday night.
However, with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) deciding not to punish the sisters for skipping the press conference, it has been claimed that the pair are receiving preferential treatment with many on social media not happy about the decision..
Carlos Alcaraz left stunned
Carlos Alcaraz was left stunned just minutes after beating Tommy Paul at the US Open.
Following a straight sets victory over Paul, Alcaraz will now face Ben Shelton, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight.
But during a post-match interview with ESPN, former world No 1 Andy Roddick left the Spaniard somewhat confused.
“Say again, say again,” Alcaraz said to begin with, before Roddick replied: “You’re either going to play Shelton or Tsitispas, maybe just a word on both of them.”
A stunned Alcaraz then admitted: “I thought, I thought, oh my God, I thought I was playing Medvedev-Tiafoe”, with a laughing Roddick replying: “Surprise!”
Alcaraz then said: “I didn’t see the draw, I guess.”
Venus and Serena Williams called out
It wouldn’t be the US Open without some controversy and this time it involves the Williams sisters.
The International Tennis Writers’ Association have voiced its frustration after Serena and Venus Williams bypassed media obligations at the US Open.
The sisters declined to speak to the media following their opening-round loss in women’s doubles against Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching on Friday night.
And ITWA president Simon Cambers posted on X: “It would have been nice to hear @serenawilliams and @Venuseswilliams talk about the experience of playing together at @usopen one more time, and hear some of their respective future plans.”
While the United States Tennis Association (USTA) deciding not to punish the sisters for skipping the press conference, it has been claimed that the pair are receiving preferential treatment with many on social media not happy about the decision.
One fan wrote on X: “Preferential treatment once again for the two biggest tennis divas of all time.”
And another said: “By the way, if Madison Keys and Taylor Fritz could hold press conferences after clearly feeling so devastated after their losses, so could Serena and Venus Williams after their doubles loss. True lovers of the sport want to give back to the sport. Others just have huge egos.
Carlos Alcaraz moves into quarter-finals
Carlos Alcaraz moved a step closer to making more tennis history after cruising into the US Open quarter-finals.
The Spaniard dismantled American Tommy Paul in straight sets, winning 6-4 6-3 6-4 defeat and he will now face Ben Shelton in the last-eight.
“I played my game, tried to play my style,” Alcaraz said. “Tommy is such a talented player, his shots are dangerous so I tried to be ready for the battle, to be ready to run and be aggressive.
“I think I did it pretty well. Really happy with the performance today. Am I back to full power? I mean I think so.”
