'I felt the love' - how did Alcaraz look on winning singles return?

Carlos Alcaraz finally returned to singles play after a 139-day absence due to a wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spaniard began his US Open title defense by defeating Russia's Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Alcaraz expressed his gratitude for being able to compete again, stating that he missed the crowd, energy, and competition.

Despite playing with a compression sleeve on his right arm, Alcaraz demonstrated his trademark forehand with ferocity, accounting for the majority of his 28 winners. He described feeling great and playing his normal style throughout the match, celebrating each win with a clenched fist and the chant "vamos." Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash noted that Alcaraz celebrated every little win.

Alcaraz faces tougher opponents in his draw, including 72nd-ranked Jaime Faria next, but his path to the final appears more promising now that top contenders like world number one Sinner and Novak Djokovic have withdrawn or been eliminated.