Alcaraz Faces Fitness Test in US Open Opener
Carlos Alcaraz will begin his defence of the US Open men’s singles title against Russia’s Roman Safiullin, with the first-round match providing a major test of the Spaniard’s fitness.
The 23-year-old has not played a competitive singles match for more than four months after suffering inflammation in his right wrist. The injury forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon, although surgery was not required.
Alcaraz returned to action earlier this week when he partnered Serena Williams in the US Open mixed doubles. His singles meeting with Safiullin will offer a much clearer indication of whether he is ready to compete at the highest level again.
Djokovic Begins Another Grand Slam Bid
Novak Djokovic will open his latest attempt to win a record 25th men’s singles Grand Slam title against Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
The 39-year-old could face a difficult second-round contest against either Matteo Berrettini or three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka has received a late wildcard for what is expected to be the final Grand Slam appearance of his career. Djokovic defeated the Italian Berrettini in the 2021 Wimbledon final.
Zverev Takes Top Men’s Seeding
Despite his lengthy absence from singles competition, Alcaraz remains the second seed at Flushing Meadows behind Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
Zverev, who finally secured his first Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, will begin against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal because of a knee injury allowed Zverev to take the top seeding.
Sabalenka Starts Women’s Title Defence, Carlos Alcaraz US Open
In the women’s tournament, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will begin against Colombia’s Camila Osorio.
Sabalenka has spent 97 weeks at the top of the WTA rankings but faces competition from Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina will meet American teenage wildcard Thea Frodin in her opening match.
Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams, aged 46, has also been handed a wildcard. She faces 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin despite having lost all 10 of her matches this season.
Fery Faces Tough US Open, Debut Carlos Alcaraz US Open
Britain’s Arthur Fery will make his US Open debut against Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough run at Wimbledon in July, reaching the semi-finals and climbing into the world’s top 40 for the first time.
Fery narrowly missed out on being seeded and now faces Musetti, who reached the quarter-finals of the US Open in 2025.
Britain’s men’s number one Cameron Norrie is the 29th seed and will face France’s Luca van Assche Carlos Alcaraz US Open.
Jan Choinski is the only other British man currently guaranteed a place in the main draw. He will meet Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp, who famously defeated Alcaraz in the second round of the 2024 US Open.
Boulter Leads British Women’s Challenge Carlos Alcaraz US Open
Katie Boulter is the only British woman guaranteed a place in the women’s singles draw through her ranking.
She will face American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee, who is ranked 143rd in the world. Carlos Alcaraz US Open
A victory could set up a second-round meeting with Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova.
Britain’s women’s number one ranking recently returned to Boulter after injured Emma Raducanu was forced to remain sidelined with a shin fracture.
Raducanu missed Wimbledon, while Britain’s Jack Draper is also absent after withdrawing because of a long-term arm injury.
Six other Britons, including Francesca Jones, Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Harry Wendelken, are attempting to qualify for the main draw.
The US Open will therefore begin with significant attention on Alcaraz, whose return to competitive singles provides one of the tournament’s biggest storylines as he attempts to defend his title in New York.