Alcaraz makes winning return as Sabalenka begins US Open title defence with victory

New York: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz marked his return from injury with a straight-sets victory, while Aryna Sabalenka opened her campaign for a third consecutive US Open title with a comfortable first-round win on Monday. Alcaraz, who had not played a singles match for 139 days because of a wrist injury, defeated Russia's Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the second round. The Spaniard's fitness had been one of the major question marks heading into the year's final Grand Slam after nearly five months on the sidelines. "You don't know what's going to happen in the match after almost 4½ months," Alcaraz told reporters. "You don't know what's going to happen in your body, in your mind, everything. It's totally different. But I just tried to play one game at a time and tried to feel good, to enjoy playing points and feeling the love from the people." The second seed's return provided a boost to a men's draw already depleted by the absence of injured world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic's shock first-round exit on Sunday. Earlier at Arthur Ashe Stadium, world No. 1 Sabalenka defeated Colombia's Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 to remain on course for a third successive US Open title. The Belarusian, who has not reached a final since completing the "Sunshine Double" at Indian Wells and Miami in March, said she was pleased with her performance. "I'm happy with my performance," Sabalenka said. "She's a tough opponent and makes you work really hard for every point." Sabalenka will next face Russian Polina Iatcenko. Last year's runner-up Amanda Anisimova also progressed, defeating fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3 on her 25th birthday. Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over China's Wang Xiyu. In the men's draw, Stefanos Tsitsipas produced one of the day's biggest upsets, defeating 10th seed Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4 to reach the second round. "It's very easy not to 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 victory for me and for my confidence." Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova moved comfortably into the second round with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Austria's Sinja Kraus, while fellow Czech Linda Noskova beat American Katie Volynets 7-5, 6-1. American Emma Navarro defeated France's Lois Boisson 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-3, while Taylor Townsend overcame Poland's Maja Chwalinska 6-2, 6-3. China's Zheng Qinwen fought back from a set down to beat Kristina Liutova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Elsewhere, former champion Stan Wawrinka's final US Open appearance ended in defeat as the 41-year-old Swiss lost 7-6(4), 7-6(3), 6-0 to Italy's Matteo Berrettini ahead of his planned retirement later this season. Home favourite Ben Shelton defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2, while Frances Tiafoe came through an all-American contest against Martin Damm 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Former champion Naomi Osaka also advanced, defeating Russia's Anastasia Zakharova 7-6(6), 7-6(3) in a late-night match after arriving on court in another eye-catching Grand Slam outfit.