New York: Carlos Alcaraz made an impressive return to Grand Slam singles action at the 2026 US Open, defeating Roman Safiullin in straight sets and beginning his title defence on a positive note.
The Spanish star, who had been out of competitive singles action since April because of a right wrist injury, defeated Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory came in Alcaraz’s first professional singles match in 139 days.
Alcaraz had missed both the French Open and Wimbledon during his lengthy recovery. His return therefore attracted considerable attention, with questions surrounding his fitness and whether the wrist would withstand the physical demands of a five-set Grand Slam tournament.
Those concerns appeared to ease during the opening-round match. Alcaraz showed his trademark speed, aggressive forehand and ability to turn defence into attack. Although he was not completely free of errors, the defending champion managed the important moments effectively and secured the victory without dropping a set.
The Spaniard later admitted that he had some doubts during the contest about whether his wrist and body would last through a potentially long match. However, he was pleased with the way he handled the pressure and physical demands of his comeback.
The victory also extended Alcaraz’s remarkable record of advancing from the first round at Grand Slam tournaments. The official US Open website noted that he improved to 21-0 in Grand Slam first-round matches.
Alcaraz arrived in New York as the defending champion and one of the tournament’s biggest attractions. He won the Australian Open earlier in 2026 and is now targeting another major title after returning from injury.
His next challenge was scheduled against Portugal’s Jaime Faria in the second round. Faria entered the contest with confidence after defeating American Jenson Brooksby in a five-set opening-round battle. The Portuguese player had also recently reached the fourth round in Cincinnati and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 70.
For Alcaraz, the opening victory was about more than simply advancing. It provided valuable competitive minutes and showed that his injured wrist was capable of handling Grand Slam tennis.
With his title defence underway, attention now turns to whether the 23-year-old can continue improving with every match and make another deep run in New York.
