US Open 2026 Results: Carlos Alcaraz Beats Roman Safiullin on Singles Return
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‘I’ll get better’ – How did Alcaraz look on winning singles return?
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Carlos Alcaraz had not played a singles match since winning in the first round of the Barcelona Open in April
By Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist
Published 5 hours ago
After a 139-day wait, Carlos Alcaraz is back to winning ways on the singles court. The seven-time major winner returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday to begin his US Open title defence after spending just over four months on the sidelines with a wrist injury.
And he delighted fans with his entertaining brand of tennis and infectious energy as he beat Russia’s Roman Safiullin 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Alcaraz was forced to watch from the sidelines as rivals Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner lifted the French Open and Wimbledon titles this summer. However, the Spaniard is finally back—and grateful to be competing again.
"I missed the crowd, the energy, the competition – I missed everything," a smiling Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. "I’m just really, really happy that I was able to compete again."
‘Every little win was celebrated’
Despite playing with a compression sleeve on his right arm, Alcaraz unleashed his trademark forehand with familiar ferocity. The whippy stroke accounted for the majority of his 28 winners against Safiullin.
Alcaraz expressed his joy at the occasion, smiling after points and even singing along to a Michael Jackson song at the change of ends. When he ended an intense rally with a sublime drop shot during his final service game, Alcaraz lifted his fist to the sky before pointing to his ear and waving his arms to demand more noise from the raucous crowd.
“What I really want to do is enjoy every time that I’m going to walk into the court, feeling the energy from the people,” Alcaraz said. “That’s what I’m going to do this tournament. The results, it’s going to come after all. That’s why I enjoyed so much today, and it wasn’t a surprise for me, because I came here to enjoy."
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Alcaraz is bidding to become the first player to defend the US Open men’s singles title since Roger Federer won five in a row between 2004 to 2008
‘There were some doubts, I’m not going to lie’
Even though Alcaraz enjoyed his first-round match at Flushing Meadows, there are improvements to be made as he continues his comeback. While he impressed with his forehand and delicate drop shots, his serve did not carry the threat it usually does. The defending champion managed just two aces to five double faults. However, he did land 68% of his first serves and won 66% of his net points.
