Carlos Alcaraz made his much-anticipated return to competitive tennis at the US Open, securing a straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. The Spanish star stepped onto the blue hardcourts after spending 139 days—nearly 40 weeks and five months—sidelined by a wrist injury sustained in Barcelona at the Conde de Godó tournament.
A Triumphant Return Complicated by Rust
The first-round match marked Alcaraz’s official return to the tour following his extensive layoff. While the final scoreline showed a clean sweep in three sets, the performance revealed a player working through obvious rust and calibration issues after months away from high-level competition. According to match reports, Alcaraz committed 12 unforced errors in the opening set alone and struggled early with his trademark forehand and drop shots.
Overcoming Early Struggles Against Safiullin
Roman Safiullin proved to be a formidable first test. The Russian player, who had previously defeated Alcaraz at the 2023 Paris Masters, kept the pressure high and pushed the Spaniard through numerous deuce games. Alcaraz admitted after the match that doubts crept in during the contest, noting concerns over whether he could sustain his level through a grueling four- or five-set encounter. Despite the initial service wobbles—including a double fault on his very first service game back—Alcaraz relied on baseline dominance and mental resilience to break through key moments and close out the match without dropping a set.
Looking Ahead in New York
Alcaraz acknowledged that his overall game requires further refinement as the tournament progresses. He emphasized that he needs more competitive matches to regain his rhythm and sharpness. Nevertheless, the victory provides a solid foundation and significant optimism for his campaign at Flushing Meadows as he continues his quest through the US Open draw.
