Carlos Alcaraz continues his title defense at the US Open 2026, advancing to the third round where he will face China’s Yibing Wu at Flushing Meadows. The Spanish star seeks his third crown in New York amid a depleted men’s draw, holding a 1-0 career head-to-head advantage over his next opponent.
Carlos Alcaraz is back on the Arthur Ashe Stadium match schedule for the US Open 2026, preparing for a third-round showdown against Yibing Wu. As the defending champion and second pre-seeded player of the tournament, Alcaraz enters Friday’s contest aiming to secure his place in the tournament’s round of 16.
The tournament draw has already seen significant exits. Competitors such as Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini, and Andrey Rublev have been eliminated, while Jannik Sinner is absent from the Grand Slam in New York.
Alcaraz’s path to the third round included a straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) in his opening match. He followed that performance with a four-set comeback win against Portugal’s Jaime Faria (4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2).
Yibing Wu’s Form and Background
Yibing Wu, ranked 113th in the ATP rankings, earned his spot on the tournament’s central court after defeating Fabian Marozsan, following straight-set wins over Australians Walton and Duckworth earlier in the week.
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The sole prior meeting between Alcaraz and Wu took place during the third round of the Shanghai Masters in 2024. That encounter ended in a tight two-set victory for the Spaniard, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Match Schedule and Start Time
The third-round match is scheduled for Friday, September 4, on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Tournament organizers have slated the fixture as the second match of the day session.
According to tournament scheduling, play is expected to begin not before 19:00 Spanish peninsular time (13:00 local time in New York). The exact start time remains contingent upon the duration of the opening women’s singles match on the same court between Jessica Pegula and Leylah Fernandez.
Broadcasting and TV Channels
Viewers in Spain can watch the match live exclusively through Movistar+. Coverage will air on dedicated channels including Movistar Plus+ (dial 7) and M+ Deportes 2 (dial 64), alongside digital streaming options provided by the platform. Fans across South America, including Argentina, Peru, and Chile, can follow the action via ESPN and Disney+ Premium, while global audiences with subscription access can utilize ATP Tennis TV.
Alcaraz’s next steps in the tournament depend on the outcome of Friday’s fixture against Wu, with the winner advancing to face the survivor of the ensuing fourth-round bracket.
