Carlos Alcaraz was holding back just a bit in his 2026 US Open first-round match against Roman Safiullin. The Spanish icon was likely afraid to go full-go in his first singles match since the Barcelona Open in April. It was there that he injured his wrist, and he didn't return until August.
Even Alcaraz at 80 percent is far better than Safiullin, who didn't take advantage of the opportunities that came his way. Several times he had multiple break points with Alcaraz serving, but only once did he push through. When Alcaraz needed a big shot, he found one. That is what great players do.
Had Alcaraz, who is now ranked No. 3 on the ATP Tour and will stay that way no matter whether he repeats as champion in New York or not, played against many other top players, he might have struggled to win his first match. Safiullin is a veteran and a grinder, but his top form is nowhere near Alcaraz at 80 percent.
Carlos Alcaraz isn't perfect but good enough to beat Roman Safiullin in the first round of the US Open
The Spaniard took the first set 6-4, getting a break in the seventh game, and then serving out the set. He wasn't playing extremely well, but he probably knew he didn't need his best to beat Safiullin. He was mostly using the match as a warm-up for the rest of the tournament, shaking off the proverbial rust of not having played a singles match in months.
The second set offered Alcaraz his only real scare. After Safiullin held to start the set, Alcaraz was broken at love. The narrative of the match didn't change for long, though. The Spaniard broke right back and then got another break at the same point as the first set. He would take set two by the same score as set one.
Alcaraz wouldn't wait as long in the third set to get the break, and he did so in the third game. After holding to get to 3-1, the outcome of the match, if there was any lingering doubt, was gone. The ATP No. 3 just needed to make sure he stayed healthy to get into the second round, where he might not face a great struggle, either.
Likely not until the round of 16 will Alcaraz truly be pushed, and even then possibly not. Jannik Sinner had to withdraw from the US Open with a knee injury, and Novak Djokovic was stunned in the first round. The only threats left for Alcaraz are Alexander Zverev and Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz.
After taking the third and final set 6-4, Carlos Alcaraz will next face 23-year-old Jaime Faria in round two of the 2026 US Open. The Spaniard shouldn't have any issues with the Portuguese player.
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