Alcaraz Sweeps Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in Healthy US Open Return

No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz secured a straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin on Monday, showing no signs of the wrist injury that sidelined him since April.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday at Arthur Ashe Stadium to begin his quest for a repeat title. The 23-year-old Spaniard, seeded No. 2 in the tournament, demonstrated full recovery from a right wrist injury that had prevented him from competing since April. This victory followed a match featuring fellow two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka on the same court. Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, punctuated the final game with a volley winner, celebrating by pumping his fist and gesturing to the New York crowd for louder cheers.

"I'm just really happy that I was able to compete again," Alcaraz stated following the match. He noted that while he was satisfied with his performance in the opening round, he expects his level of tennis to improve as the tournament progresses. The Spaniard's path through the draw has shifted significantly following the early exit of No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic, who lost in the first round on Sunday. Djokovic’s defeat marked his first-ever opening-round loss at Flushing Meadows, ending a 19-0 streak in such matches at the venue where he previously secured four of his 24 record-breaking Grand Slam titles.

Tournament Seeds and Upset Results

While Alcaraz advanced, other high-ranking players struggled during the early stages of the event. No. 10 seed Arthur Fils, who recently claimed a title in Cincinnati, was eliminated by Stefanos Tsitsipas. The match concluded with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-4 in favor of the Greek player. Tsitsipas is competing as an unseeded player at the US Open for the first time in his career. When questioned about returning to the form that saw him reach two Grand Slam finals and a career-high No. 3 ranking, Tsitsipas replied, "Why not?"

The draw is further impacted by the absence of top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury. These departures leave Alcaraz as a primary favorite for the championship if he maintains his physical health. The tournament also saw 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka take to the court against Matteo Berrettini, marking the start of Wawrinka's final Grand Slam appearance before his scheduled retirement.

Mixed Doubles and Physical Condition

In addition to his singles campaign, Alcaraz participated in the mixed doubles event alongside Serena Williams. The duo managed to win one match before being eliminated from the bracket. Alcaraz admitted to feeling some rust during those doubles sets, though his singles performance on Monday appeared more fluid as the match against Safiullin developed. The Spaniard showcased his signature all-around game, which has established him as a fan favorite in the New York stadium.

Alcaraz’s return brings a sense of stability to a tournament recently shocked by the departure of its defending champions and top contenders. The No. 2 seed expressed confidence in his physical state, confirming that the wrist issue that kept him out for four months did not hinder his play during the three-set victory. As the second seed, he remains one of the highest-ranked players left in the men's field following the historic Sunday upset of the fourth seed.