Carlos Alcaraz impressed on his return to tennis with a straight-sets win over Russia’s Roman Safiullin within the first spherical of the US Open.
Alcaraz has not performed a aggressive singles match since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in April with a wrist damage that pressured him to overlook the French Open and Wimbledon.
The severity of the damage, which didn’t require surgical procedure, meant Alcaraz was a doubt for the US Open however he entered Flushing Meadows and confirmed together with his 6-4 6-4 6-4 win over Safiullin that he can’t be dismissed from defending his title from final 12 months.
“There have been some doubts within the match, I am not going to lie. Interested by if I’d final the match, greatest of 5, enjoying 4 or 5 units,” stated Alcaraz, who will play Portugal’s Jaime Faria within the subsequent spherical.
“I had slightly little bit of doubt, however I attempted to neglect all the things and deal with the issues I wanted to enhance. I thought of what would occur within the match and bodily I felt very well.”
Watched on by rapper Travis Scott, who helped design Alcaraz’s brown outfit for the US Open, there was loads of consideration on the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s serve and groundstroke pace, given he had not performed aggressive singles for over 4 months.
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Carlos Alcaraz mirrored on his US Open spherical one win. towards Roman Safiullin
He wanted to save lots of two break factors from Safiullin in his opening three service video games earlier than breaking himself within the eighth recreation which proved sufficient to say the opening set.
Alcaraz was damaged at first of the second set however broke again instantly and upped his depth to interrupt within the eighth recreation once more and go on to win the second set.
After an early break within the third set, Alcaraz by no means got here beneath risk on his serve and continued to maneuver effectively whereas sustaining a excessive degree on each wins to see off the tough Russian.
One of many largest threats in Alcaraz’s half was Arthur Fils, after he received the Cincinnati Open title final week, however he was knocked out of the event by Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 6-4 defeat.
Sabalenka overcomes Osorio check
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Highlights of the US Open first-round match between Aryna Sabalenka and Camila Osorio
Like Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka began her US Open title with a straight-sets win as she beat Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-2 6-4.
Sabalenka is bidding to grow to be the primary participant to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams in 2014 and was put beneath critical strain by Osorio within the second set.
“Camila is a troublesome opponent however I used to be able to do no matter it takes to get the win,” she instructed Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“I actually loved the environment and assist. A enjoyable and difficult match however blissful to get by way of in straight units.”
Sabalenka’s kind has been questioned after dropping within the final 16 in her final three tournaments – Wimbledon, the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.
It means she may lose her standing as world No 1 for the primary time since October 2024 with Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula all having the prospect to knock Sabalenka off her perch.
However Sabalenka’s greatest floor is the onerous courtroom, having received her 4 Grand Slam titles on onerous, and her uncooked energy will all the time make the Belarusian troublesome to beat.
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Aryna Sabalenka hits again at critics, saying she is uninterested in the negativity surrounding her with all the things she does each on and off the courtroom
Elsewhere, Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova might be on the lookout for one other huge run and she or he received off to an important begin by beating Austria’s Sinja Karus 6-3 6-0.
Final 12 months’s US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova defeated compatriot Ashlyn Krueger 6-1 6-3 and was joined by three extra victorious People within the ladies’s draw on Monday as Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend and Cate McNally additionally received.
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What number of earlier US Open winners may you title in 20 seconds?
Brits Dart and Fearnley struggle again to progress; Wendelken out
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Highlights of the US Open first-round match between Jacob Fearnley and Martin Landaluce
Britain’s Harriet Dart and Jacob Fearnley each fought again from dropping positions to achieve the second spherical of the US Open.
Dart was a set and a break down earlier than roaring again to a 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over American Peyton Stearns.
Her coach and Sky Sports activities Tennis pundit Marion Bartoli stated: “I am actually happy for her. Such an important effort and mentally it is so onerous to return again however she fought so onerous. It is completely good.”
That was adopted by an outstanding win for Jacob Fearnley after he beat Spain’s Martin Landaluce 4-6 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-3.
Landaluce served for the match within the fourth set however Fearnley received three video games in a row to take the match to a deciding set and continued that momentum within the fifth.
Regardless of lacking a routine smash to win the match, Fearnley stored his composure and ensured he made the second spherical at Flushing Meadows for a second successive 12 months.
Fearnley, who may return to the world’s prime 100, truly misplaced in qualifying final week however is in the principle draw as a Fortunate Loser.
“I noticed it like I had nothing to lose and was enjoying on home cash slightly bit. That is what I instructed myself to ease the nerves and provides my greatest effort,” he instructed Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“Tremendous grateful for the second probability and glad I may make good use of it.”
British qualifier Harry Wendelken gave twenty first seed Luciano Darderi an actual scare within the first spherical in New York earlier than dropping 6-2 3-6 6-2 7-5.
Wendelken got here by way of qualifying the onerous approach, spending almost 9 hours on courtroom together with a gruelling three set, three tie-break battle towards Vilius Gaubas within the third spherical.
The US Open is dwell on Sky Sports activities each day till September 13. Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You may as well watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September dwell on Sky Sports activities.
