New Delhi: Carlos Alcaraz made a brilliant comeback from injury with a thumping victory against Roman Safiullin in the men’s singles first round at the US Open 2026 on Tuesday.
Alcaraz defeated Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets to storm into the second round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz played his first match in more than four months against Safiullin in the US Open first round after recovering from a wrist injury. The seven-time Grand Slam champion looked a bit rusty on his return but managed to find his groove to take down Safiullin in straight sets and progress to the next round.
Alcaraz, who is the defending champion at the US Open 2026, had not competed in singles since April due to his wrist injury. He missed the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, while also skipping the Cincinnati Open in the lead-up to the US Open. However, he looked on top of his game in flashes in his victory over Safiullin on Monday.
Alcaraz has won two titles at the US Open in his career so far and has an impressive 25-3 record at the tournament. He is gunning to win his third US Open title and the eighth Grand Slam overall in New York.
Iga Swiatek beats Wang Xiu to reach 2nd round
World No. 8 Iga Swiatek also started her campaign with a victory at the US Open 2026 on Monday. She defeated China’s Wang Xiyu 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets in her first-round clash. Swiatek looked in complete control throughout the match and never let her opponent grow into the contest at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The Polish star, who won her first title of the season in Toronto earlier this year, carried on the momentum with her straight-sets win over Xiyu. Swiatek broke Xiyu twice in the first set to race to a 3-1 lead before closing it 6-2. She faced some resistance from the Chinese in the second set but maintained her composure to win 6-3 and wrap up a thumping victory.