US Open 2026: Wide-Open Draws as Alcaraz Returns from Injury and Sabalenka Seeks Form

Carlos Alcaraz Faces Roman Safiullin in High-Stakes Return

Carlos Alcaraz enters the US Open as the second seed but carries significant competitive uncertainty after missing both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a right wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April, as reported. The defending champion made his first competitive appearance since the injury alongside Serena Williams in a mixed doubles match on Tuesday, where the pair lost in the quarter-finals. According to reports from the venue, Alcaraz appeared rusty and tentative on his first serve during the doubles outing, with the 44-year-old Williams occasionally outperforming him on court.

The Spaniard’s singles comeback presents an immediate hurdle. He is scheduled to face the in-form Russian Roman Safiullin in the first round. Safiullin enters the match ranked No. 98 in the world, having climbed more than 100 places in the rankings this season following his own return from injury. Safiullin also holds a previous indoor victory over Alcaraz, having defeated him at the 2023 Paris Masters.

An Open Men’s Draw Without Jannik Sinner

The men’s draw at Flushing Meadows is further opened by the withdrawal of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who pulled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. As the second seed, Alcaraz occupies a section that features eighth seed Ben Shelton and 10th seed Arthur Fils, the respective winners of the recent ATP Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati. Fils opens his tournament against former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Novak Djokovic enters the tournament as the fourth seed in Alcaraz’s half of the draw as he pursues a record-extending major title. Djokovic opens against Mariano Navone, with seventh seed Daniil Medvedev positioned as the highest-ranked seed in the Serb’s quarter. Meanwhile, French Open champion Alexander Zverev occupies a Grand Slam top seed position for the first time in his career, beginning his tournament against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

Aryna Sabalenka and the Women’s Top Seeds

At the top of the women’s singles draw, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka begins her title defense against Camila Osorio while attempting to solidify her world No. 1 ranking following a difficult stretch of results over recent months. Sabalenka’s half of the draw includes third seed Jessica Pegula—a potential semi-final opponent in a prospective rematch of the 2024 final—alongside Wimbledon champion and sixth seed Linda Noskova, and seventh seed Karolina Muchova. Sabalenka’s path also includes a possible third-round encounter against two-time Grand Slam champion and 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova.

The bottom half of the women’s draw features considerable depth among title contenders. Second seed Elena Rybakina enters with uncertain form after retiring from her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek due to a leg injury. Swiatek and fourth seed Coco Gauff arrive with strong momentum following tournament victories in Toronto and Cincinnati, respectively. Swiatek could face Rybakina in the quarter-finals, while French Open champion and fifth seed Mirra Andreeva headlines Coco Gauff’s section alongside two-time champion Naomi Os.

Tournament Schedule and Next Steps

Official order of play schedules are published daily on the tournament’s official website.