Improving Alcaraz underlines title credentials in wide-open draw

Carlos Alcaraz swept Wu Yibing aside to reach the US Open fourth round - and said he is getting better with every match as he continues his return from a long-term injury lay-off.The Spaniard underlined why he remains a serious contender to defend his title in New York with a 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Wu.The 23-year-old's opening-round match in Flushing Meadows was his first on a singles court for 139 days after injuring his wrist in April.Alcaraz came through his opener in straight sets but had to battle back from a set down against Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round.However, Alcaraz continued to build momentum on Friday, needing two hours and 20 minutes on court to beat Wu."To be honest, I'm better than I thought," the seven-time major champion said."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."American 20th seed Tommy Paul - who Alcaraz has beaten six times in a row - awaits in the fourth round.Alcaraz's path to an eighth major title has opened up over the past few days.French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev heads the men's draw in the absence of injured world number one Jannik Sinner.As the second seed, Alcaraz cannot meet Zverev until the final - and the German has been taken to five sets and kept on court until 2am in his two matches so far.Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit to Argentine Mariano Navone, while Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost to Karen Khachanov in the second round."Every win Alcaraz gets, he is becoming more of a favourite," former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said on BBC Radio 5 Live."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."As it stands, American eighth seed Ben Shelton is the only top-10 player that Alcaraz can meet before the semi-finals. He could then face seventh seed Daniil Medvedev in the last four.Alcaraz has won all three of his meetings with Shelton and has a 6-3 winning head-to-head against Medvedev - although the inconsistent Russian beat him at Indian Wells in March.Meanwhile, Zverev's potential pre-final opponents include home hope Taylor Fritz and Italy's French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli.