US Open: Alcaraz makes winning return as Tsitsipas shocks Fils and Sabalenka and Swiatek advance
Carlos Alcaraz played a competitive singles match for the first time in more than four months and did not appear to miss a beat, prevailing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 over Russia's Roman Safiullin to begin his US Open title defence in New York. Before the final Grand Slam of the season, the Spaniard hadn't played since the ATP 500 event in Barcelona last April, where he injured his right wrist. Alcaraz missed…
On August 31, 2026, Carlos Alcaraz made an impressive return to competitive play during the US Open, defeating Russia's Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in just two hours and 22 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Spaniard, who had been sidelined by a wrist injury since the ATP 500 event in Barcelona last April, expressed his excitement about returning to the Grand Slam tournament, stating that the US Open is a special place for him. Alcaraz will face Jaime Faria in the second round after his win.
In other matches, Stefanos Tsitsipas shocked French Open runner-up Alexander Fils of France 4-6, 7-6, 6-1, 6-4. Tsitsipas, who had won on clay in Gstaad, Switzerland, and in Madrid, showed his versatility by dominating on hard court. Other notable winners included Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, Andrey Rublev of Russia, Brandon Nakashima of the United States, and Alex Michelsen of the United States.
No 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and No 8 seed Ben Shelton of the United States also advanced in their respective matches.
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