NEW YORK — Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz ended a 139-day singles drought with a commanding straight-sets victory, while Aryna Sabalenka launched her bid for a third consecutive U.S. Open title with an efficient win on a sun-drenched Monday at Flushing Meadows.
The second day of the year’s final Grand Slam delivered a mix of familiar dominance and fresh upsets, as former champion Iga Swiatek and last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova also advanced, and Stefanos Tsitsipas knocked out 10th seed Arthur Fils.
Alcaraz Finds Form After Long Layoff
Alcaraz’s wrist injury had been one of the tournament’s biggest question marks, but the Spaniard answered emphatically with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Russia’s Roman Safiullin. The second seed showed no signs of rust in his first competitive singles match since early May.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen in the match after 4-1/2 months almost. You don’t know what’s going to happen in your body, in your mind, everything. It’s totally different,” Alcaraz told reporters. “But I just tried to play one game at a time and tried to feel good, to enjoy playing points, feeling the love from the people. Hopefully they enjoyed it.”
His victory preserved significant star power in the men’s field, which lost Novak Djokovic to a shock defeat on Sunday and was already without injured world number one Jannik Sinner.
Sabalenka and Anisimova Cruise Early
Earlier at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka looked poised to snap a frustrating stretch of poor form with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. The Belarusian has not reached a title match since completing the “Sunshine Double” at Indian Wells and Miami in March.
“I’m happy with my performance,” Sabalenka said. “She’s a tough opponent, makes you work really hard to get every point.”
American Anisimova, whom Sabalenka beat in last year’s final, celebrated her 25th birthday with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over compatriot Ashlyn Krueger at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Tsitsipas Upsets Fils, Other Notable Results
Greece’s Tsitsipas delivered the day’s biggest upset, defeating Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4 to book a second-round meeting with South Africa’s Lloyd Harris.
“It’s very easy to not feel confident, especially when you haven’t beaten top players in a long time,” Tsitsipas said. “I’m ecstatic about today. It’s an important, good victory for me, for my confidence.”
Seven matches suspended by rain on Sunday resumed Monday, aided by the tournament’s expanded 15-day first-round schedule. Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova cruised past Sinja Kraus 6-3, 6-0, while Linda Noskova, who beat Muchova in the All England Club final, downed Katie Volynets 7-5, 6-1.
American Emma Navarro ground out a 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-3 win over Lois Boisson, and Taylor Townsend beat Maja Chwalinska 6-2, 6-3. China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, forced through qualifying after an elbow injury and surgery, rallied past Kristina Liutova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Polish eighth seed Swiatek, the 2022 champion, opened the night session with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Wang Xiyu. Former champion Stan Wawrinka fell to Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4), 7-6(3), 6-0 in what was the 41-year-old Swiss’s final Grand Slam appearance before retirement.
Ben Shelton overcame Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2, and Frances Tiafoe prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in an all-American clash with Martin Damm.
