Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the fourth round of the US Open with a commanding 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Wu Yibing on Friday, September 4, 2026, reinforcing his status as a serious contender to retain his crown in New York. The performance marked the Spaniard's third consecutive straight-sets triumph since returning from a four-month absence due to a right wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April.
Alcaraz's path back to competition began with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 opening-round win over Roman Safiullin, his first singles match in 139 days. He then recovered from a set down to defeat Portugal's Jaime Faria 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 in the second round, demonstrating resilience as he rebuilt his match fitness. According to Olympic coverage, the comeback victory over Faria signalled his readiness to compete at the highest level despite the extended layoff.
Against Wu on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz required two hours and 20 minutes to secure his place in the last 16. The 23-year-old seven-time major champion expressed surprise at his rapid recovery and improving form.
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. I am doing great things off the court to be in a good state. Right now, I think my level is really good. I think I have caught the rhythm of the competition. Every time that I step on the court I give it all. I'm just trying to improve, be better every match and I think I'm getting there.
Alcaraz extended his career-best streak of Grand Slam singles match wins to 17, having captured the 2025 US Open and 2026 Australian Open in his two most recent major appearances. According to Yahoo Sports, his first-round victory over Safiullin marked a significant milestone in his recovery from injury.
How has the draw opened up for Alcaraz?
The men's singles draw has shifted dramatically in Alcaraz's favour following several high-profile exits. Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round defeat to Argentine Mariano Navone, while Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost to Karen Khachanov in the second round. World number one Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament, which elevated Alcaraz to second seed status.
French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev heads the draw in Sinner's absence. As the second seed, Alcaraz cannot encounter Zverev until the final. The German has been pushed to five sets in both his matches so far, with his second-round contest extending until 2am, suggesting he may arrive at a potential final fatigued.
American eighth seed Ben Shelton is currently the only top-10 player Alcaraz can face before the semi-finals. He could then meet seventh seed Daniil Medvedev in the last four. Alcaraz holds a perfect 3-0 record against Shelton and maintains a 6-3 head-to-head advantage over Medvedev, though the inconsistent Russian defeated him at Indian Wells in March.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash assessed Alcaraz's prospects on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying:
Every win Alcaraz gets, he is becoming more of a favourite. Four months off, no matches and win the US Open? He is a class above everybody else, when he is good, and he is getting better by the moment. The way he is moving, there is no reason for him not to do well.
What were the technical details of Alcaraz's performance against Wu?
Despite the convincing scoreline, Alcaraz's display contained both flashes of brilliance and moments of frustration. He struck 21 winners but committed 33 unforced errors, reflecting occasional inconsistency. His first-serve success rate stood at 67% overall, though it dipped to 53% during the second set when he surrendered early advantages.
Alcaraz repeatedly surrendered leads in the opening two sets but managed to reset mentally and avoid further complications. His visible frustration on court underscored his perfectionist approach, yet he ultimately controlled the match to advance in straight sets. The performance demonstrated that while his movement and court positioning remain sharp, his consistency is still building as he continues his recovery.
Who awaits in the fourth round?
American 20th seed Tommy Paul stands between Alcaraz and the quarter-finals. Alcaraz has defeated Paul in their past six meetings, establishing a commanding head-to-head record. According to NBC Sports, the men's singles third round was scheduled for September 4–5, 2026, placing Alcaraz's next match in that window.
Zverev's potential pre-final opponents include American home hope Taylor Fritz and Italy's French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli, meaning the top half of the draw remains wide open despite the seeding.
Key Facts
- Alcaraz has won 17 consecutive Grand Slam singles matches, including victories at the 2025 US Open and 2026 Australian Open
- His return to competition came after a four-month absence following a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April 2026
- The second seed cannot face top seed Alexander Zverev until the final, with the German showing signs of fatigue after two five-set matches
- Alcaraz holds a 3-0 record against potential fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul and a 6-3 advantage over Daniil Medvedev
- His first-serve percentage of 67% against Wu, combined with 33 unforced errors, suggests his consistency is still developing despite his dominant scoreline
