Improving Alcaraz underlines title credentials in wide-open draw

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the fourth round of the US Open after defeating Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. The 23-year-old Spaniard, who has been recovering from a wrist injury sustained in April, credited his improved physical condition and mental state for his success. Alcaraz commented, "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." He went on to say, "Every time 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's path to an eighth major title is now clearer, with a potential semi-final match against either American eighth seed Ben Shelton or seventh seed Daniil Medvedev. The Russian, who Alcaraz has a 6-3 head-to-head record against, could face home hope Taylor Fritz or Italy's French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli in the final.

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash remarked on Alcaraz's progress, saying, "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."