Alcaraz – Safiullin, live | US Open 2026 tennis: first round
40-15 Alcaraz, raising the level of service. He has already made his first serve and net.
Carlos Alcaraz – Roman Safiullin 1-2
The Russian, 29 years old and world No. 99, who has had to go down to the Challenger ATP tournaments to avoid falling further in the ranking, is competing in the US Open for the fourth time. It’s 3-3.
A born puncher, also on the serve. He did a good shift of duty. I play at 15.
Carlos Alcaraz – Roman Safiullin 1-1
A first service game suffered, with a double fault to start and coming back from a break point. The Murcian saved him, he celebrates shouting. It’s a lot for him in this nervous phase. Safiullin missed a very good opportunity on the break ball, and against greats like Alcaraz these mistakes usually pay dearly.
Advantage Alcaraz, who when he gets his right foot right bursts the ball. An innate quality, a hammer. Five minutes of servicethe Murcian working piecework.
Same. Gift from Safiullin. The net tape decreased the power of Alcaraz’s forehand. The Russian had everything in his favor, and he threw the ball out of control. A GIFT WITH A BREAK BALL THAT DOESN’T COME FORWARD.
30-40 Safiullin. BREAK BALL! First problem for Alcaraz.
30-30 Safiullin reveals his virtue and his defect. He hits very hard, but if there is a defense he is prone to making some silly mistakes, like the one now. Alcaraz celebrates, he knows he has to resist the Russian’s ‘cannon shots’.
15-30 Safiullin. Alcaraz’s long backhand, you must adjust the measurements. There are many sensations that are now grouped together in your head and body. Logical. Little by little.
0-15. FIRST DOUBLE FAIL BY CARLOS ALCARAZ. The nerves must be many, he will control them as he enters the match and forgetting about the absence, the injury, that he is the US Open champion.
Carlos Alcaraz – Roman Safiullin 0-1
Two good serves from Safiullin, he saves his serve at 30. There are still many empty seats in the gigantic Arthur Ashe Stadium, for more than 20,000 spectators. It will fill up.
15-30 Alcaraz, very fresh legs. With great desire. If he has decided to compete in the US Open it is because he and his team have seen that he can reach a good level as the matches go by. After the medical OK to cure an injury that should not bother you now or in the future. He took his time to heal her properly.
Carlos Alcaraz – Roman Safiullin 0-0
This first round match of the US Open begins. Sixth participation of Carlos Alcaraz, champion in 2022 and 2025. His worst result, the second round of 2024, victim of the Dutchman Botic Van by Zandschulp. ‘Pájara’ after the Paris Olympic Games.
The sun is shining in New York, fast playing conditions, just how the Murcian likes them.
Warming up at the plant, everyone looking at Alcaraz
Let’s see how the champion is doing after four and a half months of absence. He has a high level of tennis, he lacks the skills that can only be acquired in competition. We work in training, but we cannot simulate an official tournament, the nerves, the sensations on the surface, the opposition of the rival.
Alcaraz, on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Half past one in the afternoon in New York. He will wear the protective sleeve on his right arm from recent weeks. He wears a brown, sleeveless t-shirt.
Players in the entrance tunnel to the court
Roman Safiullin, the first to arrive. He has never lost in the first round of the US Open, nor has he ever gone past the second. He has won 3 games and lost as many. His best Grand Slam is Wimbledon, where he made the round of 16 this year, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2023.
From Barcelona to New York
He won in the second round of the GodĂł against the Finn Otto Virtanen. The next day medical tests, the discovery of tenosynovitis that left him out of Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon, Montreal and Cincinnati. Four and a half months later, back in New York, where he won his first Grand Slam and reached world No. 1 in 2022.
Alcaraz’s double triumphant streak
Carlos Alcaraz has won his last 14 Grand Slam matches. Champion of the US Open 2025 and the Australian Open 2026, he missed Roland Garros and Wimbledon due to the injury to his right wrist.
Another interesting fact, he has won his first twenty rounds in Grand Slam, he has never lost in his debut.
Third duel against a tough rival
Carlos Alcaraz, 23 years old and world number 3He faces an experienced rival, the Russian Roman Safiullin29 years old and world No. 99, although it was No. 36 in 2024.
They will break their balance in the record. Safiullin won the indoor round of 32 at Paris 2023 by 1-6, 6-3 and 6-4. Also in the French capital, although at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and on clay, round of 16, Alcaraz triumphed 6-4 and 6-2.
139 days later the US Open champion returns
In time to be able to display his crown in New York, although without room to have tried himself before in competition. Had the appetizer of the double mixed with the American Serena Williamsbut the time has come for the individual comeback, 139 days after suffering the wrist injury that he detected after his debut at the US Open.
Alcaraz, reappearance in a few minutes
Hello, good afternoon. Aryna Sabalenkacurrent US Open champion, has made her debut in the current edition by beating the Colombian Camila Osorio by 6-2 and 6-4.
After his match at the Arthur Ashe, it’s the turn of the men’s champion, the Spaniard Carlos Alcarazwho in a few minutes will occupy the center to face the Russian Roman Safiullin.
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