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Alcaraz makes confident return with US Open first-round win

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Russia’s Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the U.S. Open first round.
  • The Spaniard returned to singles competition after 139 days out with a wrist injury and hit more than 20 forehand winners.
  • Alcaraz will play Portugal’s Jaime Faria in the second round.

Carlos Alcaraz needed little time to regain his rhythm at Flushing Meadows. The defending champion beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday in his first singles match in 139 days.

Alcaraz had not played since April because of a wrist injury, making his return one of the tournament’s main questions. He answered with more than 20 forehand winners and controlled the match after Safiullin briefly took an early break in the second set.

It’s been a really tough five months for me. I missed it, I missed the crowd, the energy, I missed competition, I missed everything.

— Carlos AlcarazAlcaraz described his return after a five-month injury absence.

The Spaniard immediately recovered the break when Safiullin sent a volley out on break point. Alcaraz then broke again in the seventh game and converted another break point with a powerful forehand in the third set. He will face Portugal’s Jaime Faria next.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd greeted Alcaraz with loud cheers. He had played mixed doubles with Serena Williams the previous week as a brief warm-up. “It’s been a really tough five months for me,” Alcaraz said. “I missed it, I missed the crowd, the energy, I missed competition, I missed everything.”

There were some doubts during the match, I’m not going to lie. I tried to forget everything. I tried to enjoy.

— Carlos AlcarazAlcaraz acknowledged some uncertainty during his first singles match back.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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