Monday’s US Open discussion has been shaped by several notable storylines from the weekend, with Carlos Alcaraz, Serena and Venus Williams, Alex Eala and Aryna Sabalenka all featuring prominently.

Alcaraz’s quarter-final path became a talking point after his fourth-round win over Tommy Paul. During an ESPN interview, Andy Roddick told him who might be waiting next, and the reaction was immediate. Roddick said: “You’re either going to play [Ben] Shelton or [Stefanos] Tsitispas, maybe just a word on both of them.” Alcaraz responded: “I thought, I thought, oh my God, I thought I was playing [Daniil] Medvedev-[Frances] Tiafoe.”

Elsewhere, Serena Williams and Venus Williams were beaten 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(7) by Chan Hao-Ching and Maya Joint in a tight opening-round doubles match. Their defeat was not the only point of debate. Their post-match behaviour drew strong reaction on the Tennis365 Facebook page, with Tennis365’s Liam McMillen arguing that the sisters should not receive any more wildcards after they opted not to do a post-match press conference.

Roddick also offered praise for Alex Eala after seeing the support around her at the event. Eala’s run ended with a three-set third-round loss to Iva Jovic, but Roddick came away impressed by her fan base. He said: “Fans were into it, cheering for their person, but doing it with class.

“Eala’s fan base is obviously massive. It’s obviously loyal. And I’m sorry, they’re so respectful.”

In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka continues to move through the tournament without dropping a set. The world No 1 and defending champion reached the quarter-finals after a 6-4, 6-3 win over Taylor Townsend, prompting a notable change of view from Annabel Croft. Before the event, Croft had described Sabalenka as “vulnerable”, but after that victory she said: “She is going to take some beating. She doesn’t look as vulnerable as I was expecting. So far, she hasn’t dropped a set and looks in very good shape,” Croft told Sky Sports.

Ben Shelton has offered a measured assessment of Carlos Alcaraz before their 2026 US Open quarter-final, saying the Spaniard has been “playing at an extremely high level”.

Shelton booked his place in the last eight with a convincing 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over 53rd-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas in New York on Sunday evening. The No 8 seed will now meet Alcaraz, the second seed and reigning US Open champion, in one of Tuesday’s standout matches.

The American is still in pursuit of his first Grand Slam title and has put together a strong run at Flushing Meadows, having already beaten Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz and Denis Shapovalov in his opening three rounds.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, is aiming to add an eighth major trophy to his record. The 23-year-old Spaniard arrived at the tournament after more than four months away from competition because of a right wrist injury, but has moved through the draw with wins over Roman Safiullin, Jaime Faria, Wu Yibing and Tommy Paul.

After defeating Tsitsipas, Shelton was asked for his view of the matchup and his answer was clear.

“We practised together before the tournament,” said Shelton.

“I’ve been watching his matches, I think he’s been playing at an extremely high level.

“To me, he looks very normal — his normal, I mean — which is impressive after not playing for five months. I think it’ll be a great match.

“Excited for the battle. I’ve never played him in New York, and obviously [I’m] in the position I want to be in.”

Shelton was also asked how his game has changed since his last meeting with Alcaraz at the 2025 French Open.

“Honestly, I thought I played a good match in Paris,” Shelton replied. “But I think I’m serving better, I’m returning much better.

“I think my shot tolerance from the baseline, overall quality from the baseline, and my movement, have improved. I think that it’s definitely gonna be a different match playing here.

“And yeah, I think those are the areas that have probably changed the most for me.”

Reflecting on his win over Tsitsipas, Shelton added: “Thought I played well. A good, clean match, Happy to be back in the quarters here, and I’m happy with how I went about my business tonight.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s progress at the 2026 US Open has already altered the tone around her title defence. Annabel Croft, who had questioned whether the world No 1 could cope with recent setbacks, has now shifted her assessment after watching the top seed move through New York with authority. Martina Navratilova, meanwhile, remains more reserved and says Sabalenka’s latest display still leaves room for improvement.

Sabalenka entered the final major of the season under scrutiny after early exits at both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, results that led many to doubt whether she could win a third straight US Open. Her ranking situation also added pressure, with Elena Rybakina set to move ahead if the second seed reaches the semi-final at Flushing Meadows.

Before the tournament, Croft told The Times: “… those losses will have damaged that aura. She’s vulnerable, and regardless of your ranking, tennis is about confidence – and her opponents will sense that if they can take her the distance, then she may unravel again.”

That view has changed after Sabalenka’s straight-set wins over Camila Osorio, Polina Iatcenko, Kamilla Rakhimova and Taylor Townsend. Croft later told Sky Sports Tennis: “There was a lot of ferocious intensity to what Sabalenka brought onto this court. When she went a break down in the second set, she really galvanised herself. When she got back on track, she let out the most enormous shriek and you just knew she meant business.

“The passion, the aura, the mentality, the personality, she brings so much to every court. She’s a great showwoman and puts on a show whenever she plays tennis. She understands this isn’t just sport, it’s entertainment as well.

“She is going to take some beating. She doesn’t look as vulnerable as I was expecting. So far, she hasn’t dropped a set and looks in very good shape.”

Against Taylor Townsend, Sabalenka was broken three times in the opening set but answered with four breaks of her own. Townsend also moved 3-1 ahead in the second, only for Sabalenka to respond with three more breaks and complete a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Navratilova gave the performance a more cautious review: “It was good enough. It was pretty solid. Townsend had more winners, but Aryna did really well returning serve and with passing shots,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles winner said on Sky Sports Tennis.

“Townsend tried to come into the net more, but she wasn’t successful there, that’s how well Sabalenka played from the baseline.

“Overall, I would give Sabalenka a B because she lost her serve so many times, but she played really well when it mattered.”