US Open 2026: Champs Alcaraz and Sabalenka off with a bang!

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates a point against Russia’s Roman Safiullin in New York on Monday; (right) Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka during her win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio on Monday. Pics/AFP

[popcorn number="21-0" desc="Carlos Alcaraz's win-loss record in the opening round of a Grand Slam" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="15" desc="Consecutive number of matches won by Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open since 2024" class="Default"]

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz didn't miss a beat as he returned from a four-month injury absence with a straight-sets first-round victory in the US Open on Monday.

Out of action with a wrist injury since April, Alcaraz passed his first test with flying colours, beating Russian Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also made it safely into the second round. "It's been a really tough five months for me," Alcaraz said.

"Being able to step on the Arthur Ashe, being able to compete again, I couldn't decide to come back in a better tournament. It's a really special place for me. I tried to enjoy as much as I can. I missed the crowd, I missed the energy, I missed competition. I missed everything."

Alcaraz is trying to bookend his season with major titles after his Australian Open triumph in January made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka's bid for a rare US Open three-peat comes during a worrying drop in form, but the Belarusian star rose to the occasion in a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Camila Osorio.

She was slowed by 23 unforced errors, but belted 32 winners to more than compensate, her thunderous groundstrokes proving enough to see off a counter-punching opponent who stepped up her game in the second set. "She brought the fight," Sabalenka said.

"She battled really well and I just tried to stay as aggressive as possible," she added. Sabalenka hasn't reached a final since capturing the prestigious "Sunshine Double" of Indian Wells and Miami in March.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever