Full Breakdown
Alcaraz and Sabalenka Begin US Open Title Defenses After Injury Layoffs
9/1/2026, 1:56:32 AM
Opening Wins Signal Return to Form
On August 31, 2026, defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) defeated Roman Safiullin (Russia) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the U.S. Open. The same day, defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) beat Camila Osorio (Colombia) 6-2, 6-4. Both victories were achieved without dropping a set and marked each player’s first competitive singles match after extended absences.
Background: Injuries and Recent Form
Alcaraz’s right-wrist injury surfaced at the Barcelona Open in April 2026, forcing him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon. He returned to match play in mixed doubles with Serena Williams before his singles opener. Sabalenka entered New York after a four-month stretch that included fourth-round exits in Toronto, Cincinnati and Wimbledon, leaving her world-No. 1 ranking vulnerable to Elena Rybakina.
Data & Statistics
- Alcaraz – No. 2 seed, ATP rank No. 3; first-serve speed 112 mph, second-serve 97 mph.
- Sabalenka – World No. 1; 32 winners in the Osorio match; 16th consecutive straight-sets opening-round win at a major.
- Both matches lasted roughly 50 minutes.
Official Statements & Responses
Alcaraz called the match “a really tough five months,” emphasizing his desire to “compete again” and enjoy the crowd. He noted lingering doubts about stamina for a five-set match but tried to “forget everything” and focus on the present. Sabalenka said she is “not looking back” and that staying in the moment is essential for performance. Former champion John McEnroe praised Alcarz’s return as “looking like himself,” while former world No. 4 James Blake warned that Tommy Paul could test Alcaraz’s fitness later.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm just really happy that I was able to compete again,” — Carlos Alcaraz
- “There were some doubts in the match, I'm not going to lie. Thinking about if I would last the match, best of five, playing four or five sets,” — Carlos Alcaraz
- “I think the good thing for me is not looking back no matter what, if it’s good or bad, because I feel a good result can also stop you from performing well,” — Aryna Sabalenka
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the length of Alcaraz’s layoff: some describe it as “four months” (Forbes), while others cite a precise “139-day” absence (Ubitennis). Both figures refer to the period from mid-April to August 31.
