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’.
“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 Rybakina within striking distance of knocking her off top spot for the first time in 99 weeks.
After completing a rare ‘Sunshine Double’ at Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year, the 28-year-old looked untouchable.
But since then Sabalenka had lost seven of her 24 matches including early exits – by her standards – at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Suddenly Rybakina, who plays 17-year-old American wild card Thea Frodin on Tuesday, is only 434 points behind.
Sabalenka, defending 2000 points this fortnight, will play Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko – she of the 53mph second serve which accounted for Mexico’s Renata Zarazua – in round two.
She said: “I’m trying to focus on myself. I’m enjoying my time in New York and I’m ready to go out here and do anything it takes to get the wins. I’m ready for the fight!.”
Last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova is also through after a straightforward 6-1 6-3 win over fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Meanwhile, American Emma Navarro came through a three-setter held over from Sunday against France’s Lois Boisson – and her celebration quickly went viral.
As the camera panned round to show her smiling and waving to the crowd, Boisson was angrily smashing her racket to smithereens in the background, the perfect illustration of the agony and ecstasy of sport.
