NEW YORK - Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to competitive singles tennis after 139 days, while Aryna Sabalenka launched her quest for a third consecutive US Open title with a commanding victory on Monday, lighting up the second day of the year's final Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.
The Spanish second seed, who had not played a singles match since undergoing wrist surgery in early May, showed no signs of rust as he eased past Russian Roman Safiullin 6-4 6-4 6-4 in front of an appreciative Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. It was a reassuring performance for a player whose physical condition had been one of the biggest question marks entering the tournament.
Alcaraz's Confident Comeback
Alcaraz, the defending champion, admitted that the long layoff created uncertainty. "You don't know what's going to happen in the match after 4-1/2 months almost. You don't know what's going to happen in your body, in your mind, everything. It's totally different," he told reporters. "But I just tried to play one game at a time and tried to feel good, to enjoy playing points, feeling the love from the people. Hopefully they enjoyed it."
The 23-year-old produced a polished all-court display, mixing his trademark drop shots with searing forehand winners. He broke Safiullin early in each set and never faced a break point until the closing stages, when he saved a couple to seal the match. The win ensured some star power remained in the men's draw, which had already been depleted by Novak Djokovic's shock first-round loss to Alexei Popyrin on Sunday and the absence of injured world number one Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz's return is a significant boost for the tournament. Having captured his second Wimbledon title in July and finished runner-up at the French Open, the former world number one is widely regarded as one of the few players capable of dominating the next generation. His movement, court sense, and ability to produce spectacular shots under pressure were all on display as he booked a second-round meeting with an unseeded opponent.
Sabalenka Begins Three-Peat Bid
Earlier at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aryna Sabalenka looked determined to end a frustrating run of poor form as she dispatched Colombia's Camila Osorio 6-2 6-4 in just over an hour. The Belarusian, who has not reached a title match since completing the 'Sunshine Double' at Indian Wells and Miami in March, showed glimpses of her dominant serving and heavy groundstrokes.
"I'm happy with my performance," Sabalenka said. "She's a tough opponent, makes you work really hard to get every point." The world number two is chasing history as she aims to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three consecutive US Open titles. Sabalenka, who triumphed in New York in 2024 and 2025, has been working with her team to refine her mental approach after a stretch of early exits at various events.
In the second round, Sabalenka will face Russian Polina Iatcenko, who advanced with a three-set win over a qualifier. The Belarusian's powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make her a formidable favorite, though she will need to maintain her intensity as the draw deepens.
American Highlights
American Amanda Anisimova, whom Sabalenka beat in last year's final, got her campaign off to a bright start on her 25th birthday with a 6-1 6-3 victory over compatriot Ashlyn Krueger at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Anisimova, who has battled injuries and personal challenges in recent years, looked sharp and expressive as she broke Krueger five times and dropped just four games. The American will next face a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
Another US hope, Ben Shelton, overcame Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 1-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2 in a roller-coaster first-round encounter. Shelton's booming left-handed serve and athleticism eventually wore down his opponent, who had won the first set convincingly. Frances Tiafoe also advanced with a grueling five-set victory over Martin Damm in an all-American clash, winning 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-4. Tiafoe, a former semifinalist in New York, saved multiple break points in the deciding set before sealing the win with an ace.
Emma Navarro continued her steady rise by grinding out a 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 6-3 win over Frenchwoman Lois Boisson, while Taylor Townsend defeated Poland's Maja Chwalinska 6-2 6-3. However, not all Americans enjoyed success; unseeded Ashlyn Krueger and Martin Damm fell, and 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka saw his final Grand Slam appearance end in defeat.
Tsitsipas Upsets Fils
Stefanos Tsitsipas produced a performance full of grit and determination to upset Argentina's 10th seed Arthur Fils, triumphing 4-6 7-6(3) 6-1 6-4 in a first-round thriller. The Greek, who has struggled to find consistent form in recent months, rallied from a set down and dominated the tiebreak before cruising through the third set. His aggressive net play and strong serving were key factors.
"It's very easy to not feel confident, especially when you haven't beaten top players in a long time," Tsitsipas said. "I'm ecstatic about today. It's an important, good victory for me, for my confidence." The win sets up a second-round meeting with South African Lloyd Harris, who also advanced earlier in the day.
Tsitsipas, a former French Open finalist and two-time Grand Slam runner-up, is seeking to re-establish himself among the elite. His victory was one of the highlights of the afternoon, surprising many fans and pundits alike given Fils's recent triumph at the Cincinnati Masters.
Former Champions and Rising Stars
Polish eighth seed Iga Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, began her night session with a routine 6-2 6-3 win over China's Wang Xiyu on the second showcourt. Swiatek, who lost in the fourth round last year, is aiming to recapture the form that made her a dominant force on clay and hard courts. She showcased her trademark sliding defense and precise forehand angles, breaking Wang four times.
China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, forced to go through qualifying only two years after reaching the quarter-finals in New York, beat Kristina Liuova 4-6 6-3 6-1. Zheng, whose ranking has plummeted due to an elbow injury that required surgery last year, showed resilience as she recovered from a slow start. Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play ultimately proved too much for her opponent.
Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova got the day underway on the Grandstand with a routine 6-3 6-0 win over Austria's Sinja Kraus, a victory that was never in doubt. The Czech seventh seed, who has been plagued by injuries throughout her career, will face British number one Katie Boulter in the second round. Linda Noskova, who defeated compatriot Muchova in the All England Club final last month, downed American Katie Volynets 7-5 6-1 to stay on track for back-to-back major titles. Noskova, just 22, has emerged as one of the most promising young stars on the WTA Tour.
Wawrinka's Farewell and Osaka's Battle
Another former champion, Stan Wawrinka, bid an emotional farewell to the Grand Slam stage as he fell to Italy's Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 7-6(3) 6-0. The 41-year-old Swiss, who won the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open earlier in his career, announced he would retire at the end of the season. After the match, Wawrinka received a standing ovation from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, and his eyes welled with tears as he waved to all four corners of the arena.
"It's special to be here one last time," Wawrinka said. "The crowd has always been amazing to me. I gave everything until the end." Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, played an excellent tiebreak to take the first two sets, then ran away with the third. He showed his respect for Wawrinka by waiting at the net to embrace his opponent warmly.
In a late-finishing match under the lights, Naomi Osaka unveiled another bold Grand Slam walk-on outfit before showing plenty of fight for a 7-6(6) 7-6(3) victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova. Osaka, a four-time major champion, saved set points in both tiebreaks and closed out the match with a powerful forehand. The Japanese star, who has been rebuilding her game after a lengthy maternity leave, is now through to the second round, where she will face a higher-ranked opponent.
The day's action on Monday also included the resumption of seven matches suspended on Sunday due to rain. Organizers benefited from the extended three-day first-round schedule after expanding the main draw to 15 days in 2025, a move that provided much-needed flexibility. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Alcaraz and Sabalenka, two champions who have already made their intentions clear with impressive starts.
Source: MSN News