Alcaraz wins to reach US Open fourth round

Second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz continued his strong return to the U.S. Open, defeating Wu Yibing in straight sets on Friday, September 4, 2026, to advance to the fourth round in New York. The victory extended Alcaraz's Grand Slam winning streak to 17 matches as he pursues a second consecutive U.S. Open title. Alcaraz, who had been sidelined for four months with a wrist injury, showed encouraging form, needing two hours and 20 minutes to secure a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win. Despite the straightforward scoreline, the match presented challenges, with Alcaraz noting the high rhythm of his opponent's game. "The way Yibing plays is unbelievable, the rhythm he has on every shot," Alcaraz said after the match. "But I think I stayed there. I played aggressive, I played smart in the toughest moments." The defending champion has dropped only one set through his first three matches. Reflecting on his physical condition after his layoff, Alcaraz stated, "To be honest, I'm better than I thought. Physically, I thought I was going to be bad after the first match, but I am recovering really well." Alcaraz's next opponent will be American Tommy Paul, the 20th seed, who advanced by defeating No.