Carlos Alcaraz could hardly have asked for a better way to return to competitive singles tennis.
After more than four months away from singles competition, the Spaniard stepped onto the US Open court with plenty of questions surrounding his fitness, his wrist and his ability to immediately handle the physical demands of a Grand Slam match. By the end of the night, however, those doubts had been replaced by a convincing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Roman Safiullin.
It was not simply the scoreline that impressed. Alcaraz showed flashes of the creativity and instinct that have made him one of the most exciting players in the sport.
Alcaraz’s trademark touch returns
One of the clearest examples came late in the opening set.
Leading 5-4 and 30-15, Alcaraz moved aggressively toward the net after hitting a well-placed wide serve. Safiullin managed to get his backhand return down toward Alcaraz’s feet, but rather than retreat, the Spaniard reacted instinctively.
He produced a beautifully controlled half-volley that floated over the net and landed safely for a winner.
It was the kind of delicate, instinctive tennis that has become synonymous with Alcaraz. The Spaniard responded with a huge smile before closing out the game and taking control of the match.
From there, he never allowed Safiullin to seriously threaten his return to Grand Slam singles action.
A major test for Alcaraz’s wrist
The circumstances surrounding the match made the performance particularly impressive.
Alcaraz arrived at the tournament without the usual run of singles matches that players typically use to build rhythm and confidence. Instead, his first singles match in months came at a Grand Slam, where matches are played over the best-of-five format.
His opponent also presented a significant challenge. Safiullin is capable of generating enormous power from the baseline, meaning Alcaraz’s wrist would immediately be tested by the pace coming back across the net.
Yet the Spaniard appeared increasingly comfortable as the match progressed.
His forehand, arguably the most dangerous weapon in his game, was firing from the opening exchanges. Alcaraz repeatedly took control of rallies from the baseline and finished the match with 20 forehand winners against only nine forehand unforced errors.
Whenever he found himself under pressure in a service game, he was also willing to trust his groundstrokes and play his way out of trouble.
Most importantly, the wrist did not appear to restrict his movement or shot selection.
After the match, Alcaraz confirmed that he was playing without pain.
“It’s pain-free right now.”
He explained that his feeling during the match was close to normal and that he was able to play his usual style of tennis. Despite the encouraging signs, he remains aware that the wrist needs careful management as the tournament progresses.
The serve remains a question
There was one noticeable area of caution: Alcaraz’s serve.
Rather than attempting to produce maximum speed, the Spaniard kept his first-serve pace relatively conservative, averaging around 113 mph.
That approach is understandable given the circumstances. With his wrist still being carefully managed, there is little reason to take unnecessary risks during the early stages of his comeback.
However, a less aggressive serve could become an important factor in the later rounds.
Alcaraz normally relies on his serve to generate cheap points and put opponents under immediate pressure. If he continues to prioritize control over speed, he may have to work harder during his service games against the tournament’s best returners.
For the moment, though, that is a problem for another day.
Can Alcaraz go deep?
Alcaraz’s convincing first-round display will inevitably raise expectations as the US Open moves forward. The straight-sets victory was an encouraging sign that his time away from singles competition has done little to blunt the quality of his baseline game.
That will also make his upcoming matches particularly interesting for tennis fans and bettors, with the latest outright, match and player markets available at novibet.ie. Of course, betting odds can shift throughout the tournament as results, form and fitness begin to shape the market.
For Alcaraz, though, the immediate question has already been answered: he is ready to compete. The real test now is whether his wrist continues to respond positively as the physical demands increase and he faces more best-of-five matches.
Taking the tournament one match at a time
Despite the emphatic victory, Alcaraz is not making any bold predictions about how far he can go.
That uncertainty is understandable. Before stepping onto the court, even he could not know how his body would respond after returning to singles competition at such a demanding event.
His priority is therefore simple: compete, enjoy the atmosphere and see what happens.
His support team, family and friends watched from his player box as he made his long-awaited return, adding another emotional dimension to an already significant night.
Alcaraz admitted that he began the day feeling much more nervous than usual. After spending months away from competition, simply walking onto the court again was an achievement in itself.
Now, the challenge is to recover, assess how his body responds and prepare for the next match.
The Spaniard could not have scripted a much better opening chapter to his comeback.
The wrist survived. The forehand looked dangerous. The creativity was back.
And, most importantly, Carlos Alcaraz is competing again at the US Open.