Carlos Alcaraz begins US Open title defense against Roman Safiullin

Alcaraz back in action after four-month injury layoff Novak Djokovic faces Mariano Navone in first round Carlos Alcaraz has been handed a tough draw on his return to singles competition after a four-month injury layoff as he faces the in-form Russian Roman Safiullin in the first round of the US Open. Alcaraz, the defending champion in New York, has not competed in singles since sustaining a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April, with the Spaniard missing the French Open, where he was also the defending champion, and Wimbledon. He was understandably rusty and tentative with his first serve when making his first competitive appearance since the injury alongside Serena Williams in the mixed doubles event on Tuesday, with the pair losing in the quarter-finals and the 44-year-old Williams even outperforming him during large parts of their time on court. His opening match against the world No 98 Safiullin, who has risen over 100 places in the world rankings this year after returning from injury and defeated Alcaraz indoors at the Paris Masters in 2023, will be a significant first challenge. Continue reading...

Carlos Alcaraz will open the defense of his US Open title against Roman Safiullin, an opponent who made a strong run at Wimbledon while the Spaniard was sidelined with an injury.

Carlos Alcaraz will launch his US Open title defence against Russia’s Roman Safiullin in what will be the Spaniard’s first appearance since recovering from a right wrist injury sustained in April. In the absence of injured world number one Jannik Sinner, French Open champion Alexander Zverev of Germany is the men’s top seed at Flushing Meadow and he faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego following Thursday's draw.

Carlos Alcaraz starts his US Open title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin in the first serious examination of his fitness following a long-term wrist injury.

Carlos Alcaraz starts his US Open title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin in the first serious examination of his fitness following a long-term wrist injury.

Carlos Alcaraz will open the defense of his U.S. Open title against an opponent who made a strong run at Wimbledon while the Spaniard was sidelined with an injury. Along with some interesting opening-round matches, the draws for men's and women's singles Thursday delivered one what-could-have-been possibility: Had Serena Williams decided to play, there could have been a Williams sisters showdown in Round 1. When Venus Williams was given a wild card into the event at 46, the U.S. Tennis Association initially held one spot, which surely would have gone to Serena if the six-time U.S. Open champion wanted to play after returning to tennis for the first time since 2022.