Carlos Alcaraz opens US Open title defense against Safiullin, Venus Williams plays Sofia Kenin
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz will open the defense of his U.S. Open title against an opponent who made a strong run at Wimbledon while the Spaniard was sidelined with an injury. Along with some…
At the U.S. Open tennis championships held in New York on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face Roman Safiullin in the opening round of the men's singles. Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, returned to play after missing the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury. He will compete against Safiullin, who made a strong run at Wimbledon while Alcaraz was sidelined.
The Spaniard's previous victory over Safiullin at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris in 2023 was avenged in their lone other meeting at the Paris Olympics. In the women's singles, Venus Williams, 46, received a wild card into the event, but decided to only compete in doubles. The USTA then awarded the last wild card to 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
On Thursday, Venus Williams and Kenin were randomly drawn to face each other in the opening round. Main draw play at the final Grand Slam tournament of the season begins on Sunday.
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