The action is heating up at Flushing Meadows. Day three of the US Open 2026 delivered a mix of high-stakes drama and dominant masterclasses as defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka secured their spots in the next round—albeit via very different paths.
Alcaraz Shakes Off the Rust
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz faced an unexpected hurdle early in his second-round match against Portugal’s Jaime Faria. Playing after a grueling four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury—which forced him to sit out both the French Open and Wimbledon—the 23-year-old Spaniard started sluggishly, dropping the opening set 4-6.
However, Alcaraz quickly found his rhythm. He rattled off eight consecutive games to snatch back momentum, ultimately securing a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 victory. The win extends his Grand Slam winning streak to 16 matches, proving that despite his recent injury layoff, his championship pedigree remains fully intact.
Sabalenka’s Flawless Title Defense
While Alcaraz had to fight, top seed Aryna Sabalenka took the express route. She dismantled Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in a blistering 53 minutes. Sabalenka looked completely unstoppable, firing 24 winners and dropping just four points on her serve in the first set. She is currently chasing history, aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams.
The Chinese Surge: Wu and Bu Shine
One of the day’s biggest storylines came from the Chinese contingent, who made massive waves in the men's draw:
- Bu Yunchaokete's Dream Debut: Entering the main draw as a "lucky loser" after Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew, Bu capitalized on the opportunity. He stunned 12th-seeded Rafael Jodar 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 to claim his first-ever Grand Slam main-draw win.
- Wu Yibing's Solo Run: Wu advanced to the last 32 for the second time in his career, defeating James Duckworth 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. Remarkably, Wu is playing without a technical coach, fitness trainer, or physiotherapist.
On the women’s side, China’s Wang Xinyu fell short, losing a tough three-setter (7-5, 2-6, 6-3) to 21st seed Anna Kalinskaya.
Other Notable Results
The seeded favorites largely held their ground elsewhere in the draw. Seventh seed Daniil Medvedev dismissed U.S. wild card Sebastian Gorzny in straight sets, while eighth seed Ben Shelton battled past Hubert Hurkacz in a tight four-set thriller. In the women's draw, American favorite Jessica Pegula dominated Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1.
