Alcaraz Wins Open as Djokovic Exits; Sabalenka Defending Champion

Carlos Alcaraz returned to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open with a straight-sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Roman Safiullin, declaring the wrist injury pain-free and his movement normal. He revealed nerves before his first singles match in 139 days but said his goal was to compete, enjoy the moment, and see how his body responded. The win comes after a four-month layoff that caused him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon, positioning him as a title contender again if he stays healthy. The tournament was notable for Novak Djokovic’s shock first-round exit and Jannik Sinner’s knee sidelining, which could alter the title race and bring Alcaraz closer to another deep run. Alcaraz also embraced the Arthur Ashe atmosphere, thanking the crowd for their energy and stressing the importance of taking it one round at a time. Sabalenka, the defending champion, opened with a win and signaled a deep field at this year’s Open.