Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed and defending champion, won his first match in four months at the US Open 2026, defeating Russia's Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Spaniard had not played a competitive match since injuring his right wrist at the Barcelona Open in April, missing both the French Open and Wimbledon.
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A smooth return on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Despite four months away from competition, Alcaraz displayed a reassuring level from the very first rallies. The seven-time Grand Slam champion imposed his attacking style, never allowing Safiullin to settle into the match. Three identical 6-4 sets, a sign of consistency that dispelled doubts about his physical condition. "I don't know how it looked from outside, but from inside, my feeling was that I was hitting normal," Alcaraz said after the match. "My arm, my wrist, everything felt great."
Confidence restored ahead of the decisive rounds
The decision to return directly at a Grand Slam rather than at a smaller preparation event was far from straightforward. "It wasn't an easy decision," the Spaniard had admitted before the tournament. The gamble appears to have paid off: Alcaraz immediately slots back among the title favourites alongside top seed Alexander Zverev. His next opponent will be Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round on Wednesday.
The contrast with Novak Djokovic's first-round exit against Mariano Navone the previous day strengthens Alcaraz's position in the top half of the draw. With a 22-3 record in 2026 and two titles before his injury, the 23-year-old Spaniard remains the man to beat at Flushing Meadows. (Sources: ATP Tour, ESPN, Yahoo Sports)
