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Two-time US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz returned to the round of 16 by beating Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday and next faces American Tommy Paul, who knocked off a top-15 seed in five sets. It was Alcaraz's 27th career win at the US Open, tying Pete Sampras for the third most by any man in his first six appearances in the Open era after John McEnroe (33) and Lleyton Hewitt (29). Alcaraz -- back for this tournament after missing four months because of a right wrist injury -- has now won 30 of his last 31 major matches dating back to last year's French Open, with the lone loss coming to Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Wimbledon final. Alcaraz was broken twice in 13 service games Friday and committed 33 unforced errors, with 19 of those coming off the forehand side. But he indicated he's feeling fine in his return from the injury that kept him out of the French Open and Wimbledon. "To be honest I'm better than I thought," Alcaraz said. The 23-year-old is bidding to become the first man to defend his US Open title since Roger Federer won five straight from 2004-08. Next up in his path to a repeat is No. 20 seed Paul, who matched his career-best US Open appearance by reaching the fourth round with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 15 Alexander Bublik. It was Paul's second career major win against a top-15 seeded opponent, and first in a full match (he advanced over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open after Fokina retired). The US Open is the only major where Paul has not reached the quarterfinals; in fact, no active American men's player has reached the quarterfinals or better at all four majors. He has a tough task ahead of him, as Alcaraz owns a 6-2 record against him and has won their last five meetings. "Obviously the crowd at every tournament loves Carlos, but you know, I am American, so hopefully they can get behind me a little bit," Paul said. Also Friday, Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The No. 7 seed will face either No. 11 Frances Tiafoe or No. 22 Valentin Vacherot. ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.