Carlos Alcaraz defeats Roman Safiullin in straight sets in US Open return
Carlos Alcaraz won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 against Roman Safiullin on Monday, advancing to the US Open second round after more than four months out with a wrist injury.
Straight-sets victory on Arthur Ashe
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the US Open on Monday. The match on Arthur Ashe Stadium concluded in roughly 2 hours and 21 minutes, giving the Spanish world number three a clean start in New York. Alcaraz broke serve in the seventh game of the opening set after saving break points on his own delivery. Safiullin, ranked 99th, responded early in the second set by winning six consecutive points to break Alcaraz at love, but the Spaniard reclaimed the advantage and broke again in the seventh game to seal the set. A single service break in the third game of the final set allowed Alcaraz to close out the contest, converting four break points in total and serving two aces.
- Alcaraz converts a break in the seventh game to win 6-4 after saving break points.
- Safiullin breaks early before Alcaraz recovers with two breaks to win 6-4.
- Alcaraz breaks in the third game and holds serve to take the match 6-4.
Return after four-month wrist injury
The victory marked Alcaraz's first official singles appearance in 138 to 139 days following a right wrist injury suffered at the Conde de Godo tournament. Entering the tournament with a protective sleeve on his right arm, he showed no signs of discomfort during baseline exchanges. Alcaraz generated more than 20 forehand winners and landed 70% of his first serves, winning 64% of points behind his first delivery. Serve speeds hovered near 200 km/h as he adjusted to competitive pacing following months of rest and measured practice.
What I am most proud of is that mentally I was able to deal with the nerves, the doubts in my head and keep going forward.
- First serve in
- 70 %
- Service points won
- 64 %
Grand Slam record and tournament draw
The victory preserves Alcaraz's career record in Grand Slam opening rounds at 21 wins and zero defeats. The win also extended his active winning run at major tournaments to 15 consecutive matches, dating back to his 2025 US Open triumph and his title run at the 2026 Australian Open. Before entering the singles competition, Alcaraz tested his fitness on the New York hard courts in mixed doubles with Serena Williams, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic. Alcaraz is pursuing another title run in a draw missing world number one Jannik Sinner, who withdrew from the tournament before play commenced.
I am very happy with the level at which I played my first official match in more than four months.
Next round against Jaime Faria
Alcaraz moves into the second round on Wednesday to face Portugal's Jaime Faria, who is ranked 72nd in the ATP standings. Faria advanced after defeating American Jenson Brooksby, ranked 74th, in a five-set opening match. A tournament victory in the final on 13 September would deliver the 23-year-old Murcian his eighth career Grand Slam title and his third in New York. A title defense would also make Alcaraz the first men's player to win consecutive US Open singles crowns since Roger Federer won five straight between 2004 and 2008.
