Carlos Alcaraz vs Tommy Paul Preview & Prediction | 2026 Australian Open | Round of 16
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Carlos Alcaraz faces Tommy Paul at the 2026 Australian Open.
Start date/time:
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Surface: Outdoor hard
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & Tennis Channel
Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Carlos Alcaraz vs Tommy Paul ticket information
Carlos Alcaraz vs Tommy Paul prediction
Carlos Alcaraz will attempt to maintain the recent one-sided slant to his rivalry with Tommy Paul in a match-up that has previously been described as one of the most fun on the ATP Tour.
The Spaniard lost two of his first three showdowns with the American but has now come out on top in the the past four on the spin and the last two wins were in straight sets.
Indeed, it doesn't bode well for the 19th seed. Alcaraz has yet to drop a set in Melbourne this year and vanquished Corentin Moutet 6-2 6-4 6-1 last time out.
The world number one appears to be locked in as he pursues the one major that has eluded him so far in his fledgling, but glittering career. The 22-year-old also knows Paul is more than capable of causing him plenty of problems, especially with the injury issues that saw him cut short last season behind him. That means there's less chance of complacency seeping into the six-time major winner's performance.
Paul is also likely to offer a greater threat than in their last meeting when he was hampered by physical issues and slumped to a 6-0 6-1 6-4 loss at the 2025 French Open.
Notably, the 28-year-old Floridian has also won all three of his matches at Melbourne Park in straight sets on the back of a run to the last four in Adelaide.
A fit and firing Paul will be pumped up for this one and there could be value in him being the first player to nick a set off Alcaraz, but if the top seed continues to be solid on serve and more pragmatic with shot selection, it’ll be unlikely as he's so good at delivering in clutch moments on the biggest stages.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Tommy Paul tip: Carlos Alcaraz to win 3-0
