SALAR NEWS

Alcaraz returns to US Open with a victory, Sabalenka also wins

While Alcaraz beat Roman Safiullin, Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio

PTI

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Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka

New York, 1 Sept

Carlos Alcaraz returned to the US Open and looked healthy enough for a run at a repeat.

Alcaraz beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday, showing no problems with the right wrist injury that had sidelined the 23-year-old Spaniard since April.

Following fellow two-time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No 2-seeded Alcaraz appeared more comfortable as the match went on and delivered the all-around game that has made him a fan favorite in New York. He held his hand to his ear to encourage louder cheers and pumped his fist after a pretty volley winner in the final game of the match.

“I'm just really happy that I was able to compete again,” Alcaraz said. “I think the level of tennis is going to be better for sure. I'm just really happy with the level that I played my first match.”

If the seven-time Grand Slam champion stays healthy, he may quickly become a huge favorite with top-ranked Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury and No. 4 Novak Djokovic losing in the U.S. Open's first round for the first time on Sunday.

Sabalenka beat Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 to begin her bid to be the first player to win three straight US Open championships since Serena Williams from 2012-14.

She has been to the last three US Open finals, rebounding from a loss to Coco Gauff in 2023 by winning in 2024 and then topping Amanda Anisimova last year to repeat.

“I feel like this is one of my favorite stadiums,” Sabalenka told the crowd afterward. “I really experienced the best emotions here in this stadium.”

No. 7 seed Karolina Muchova, the Wimbledon runner-up, rolled to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Sinja Kraus. But fellow Czech Sara Bejlek, the No. 28 seed who stunned Sabalenka in Cincinnati, fell in three sets to Cristina Bucsa.