Carlos Alcaraz moved a step closer to defending his US Open crown on Friday, delivering a dominant straight-sets victory over China's Wu Yibing to advance to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. The Spanish star secured a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win in two hours and twenty minutes, further strengthening his position as a primary contender for the championship as the tournament bracket continues to open up.
The performance served as another positive indicator for the defending champion, who returned to competition at this tournament following a significant four-month absence due to a wrist injury sustained in April. Alcaraz admitted after the match that his physical recovery and competitive form have exceeded his initial expectations following such a lengthy spell away from the singles court.
Despite the routine scoreline, the contest was not without moments of frustration for the Spaniard. Alcaraz experienced dips in his first-serve percentage and surrendered early advantages in the opening two sets, ultimately finishing the encounter with thirty-three unforced errors alongside twenty-one winners. Nevertheless, the seven-time major champion maintained his composure to secure the victory, which marks his seventeenth consecutive win in Grand Slam singles competition.
The pathway to another major title has become increasingly favorable for Alcaraz following a series of high-profile upsets in New York. Novak Djokovic exited the tournament in a shocking first-round defeat to Argentina's Mariano Navone, while third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated in the second round by Karen Khachanov. Meanwhile, top-seeded Alexander Zverev has labored through grueling matches, navigating multiple five-set encounters that extended late into the night.
With these early exits and the absence of the injured Jannik Southern player Jannik Sinner, the draw has cleared significantly for the second-seeded Spaniard. American eighth seed Ben Shelton remains the only top-ten player Alcaraz could potentially face prior to the semi-final stage, where seventh seed Daniil Medvedev looms as a possible opponent. Alcaraz holds a strong historical record against both competitors.
Looking ahead to the fourth round, Alcaraz is scheduled to face American twentieth seed Tommy Paul. Although Alcaraz holds a favorable six-match winning streak against Paul, analysts and former players have increasingly pointed to the defending champion as the player to beat. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash noted that Alcaraz's level of play continues to rise with every round, suggesting that the Spaniard's movement and overall class place him in an advantageous position as the tournament progresses.
In other action on Friday, Daniil Medvedev also advanced safely to the next round with a straight-sets win over French twenty-sixth seed Arthur Rinderknech. The 2021 US Open champion has maintained a flawless set record through his opening three matches, demonstrating the hard-court prowess that has defined much of his career. Medvedev will look to continue that momentum as the second week of the tournament approaches.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
