Carlos Alcaraz makes light work of US Open comeback with straight-sets win

Carlos Alcaraz passed the first test of his US Open comeback with a routine straight-sets win over Roman Safiullin.

The Spaniard, back to defend his title after more than four months out with a wrist injury, won 6-4 6-4 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz, who missed both the French Open and Wimbledon, only had a light tune-up in the mixed doubles with Serena Williams as preparation for the singles at Flushing Meadows.

He double-faulted on his first point in their first match and, still wearing a heavy protective sleeve, he did the same against Safiullin.

But, barring a break of serve at the start of the second set which was quickly retrieved, it was like the 23-year-old had never been away.

He said: “I missed it. I miss the crowd energy, I miss competition. I missed everything. So I’m just really happy that I was able to compete again.”

On his injury, he added: “There were some doubts in the match, I’m not going to lie. I’ve been thinking about ‘am I going to last the best of five, am I going to last playing four sets, five sets? I don’t know’.

https://x.com/usopen/status/2094514895450476673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“So I had a little bit of doubt but I tried to forget everything and tried to enjoy and focus on the things that I had to do and improve.

“I was thinking about ‘let’s see what’s going to happen in the match’ so I’m just happy that I won in straight sets and got another win. Physically I felt really well.”

Aryna Sabalenka also got her title defence – and her bid to stay at world number one – off to a solid start.

The Belarusian, aiming for a third consecutive Flushing Meadows crown, eased into round two with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio.

Sabalenka’s recent run of indifferent form has left Elena