Reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz returns to Grand Slam tennis after a four-month wrist injury layoff and wins his opening men’s singles match in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Multiple outlets report he beats Roman Safiullin in the first round and advances without dropping a set, easing concerns about his ability to compete after time away.

The coverage consistently notes that Alcaraz last played in April and misses the French Open and Wimbledon while recovering from a wrist injury. Several reports describe him as looking comfortable as the match progresses and physically well, and they quote him saying he feels pain-free and had more nerves than usual. One outlet emphasizes that he is seeded second and highlights the draw context, including a possible path where Novak Djokovic and other contenders may not meet as expected.

Outlets also vary in how they frame tournament impact. Some focus mainly on Alcaraz’s “statement” comeback and satisfaction at returning to the sport, while others connect his return to wider shifts in the men’s field, including early results involving other high-profile players that could affect title chances.