Alcaraz Wins in Straight Sets on US Open Singles Return

Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to singles after 139 days away, beating Roman Safiullin in straight sets to begin his US Open title defence. The seven-time major champion won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, according to BBC Sport, in his first singles match since the opening round of the Barcelona Open in April.

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Alcaraz had spent just over four months sidelined by a wrist injury and entered the match wearing a compression sleeve on his right arm. The Spaniard nevertheless produced 28 winners, with his forehand accounting for most of them, as he completed a controlled victory over the 99th-ranked Russian.

The 23-year-old said afterward that his movement and shot-making felt normal from his perspective. He also spoke about how much he had missed the crowd, competition and energy of playing, adding that he was happy to be competing again. His animated celebrations and interaction with the New York audience reflected that enthusiasm throughout the match.

There were still areas Alcaraz identified for improvement. BBC Sport reported that his serve did not have its customary force, and the defending champion acknowledged it was the shot with which he had struggled most. He said some slower deliveries were used deliberately against Safiullin, while expressing confidence that his usual serve would return.

Alcaraz also admitted he had doubts before the match about his capacity to handle a five-set contest after the long absence. Those concerns were not tested to the limit because he closed the match in three sets, but the first-round performance provided his first competitive measure of his fitness since the injury layoff.

The second seed will face Portugal's Jaime Faria, ranked 72nd, in the second round. Alcaraz is attempting to become the first man to retain the US Open singles title since Roger Federer completed a run of five consecutive championships from 2004 through 2008. His opening result kept that defence on course while marking a successful return to the format after more than four months away.