Carlos Alcaraz hasn't played a match since April. Will he win his U.S. Open first-round match in straight sets?
60% of users predicted NO — the community missed this one. 25 predictions cast.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the 2026 US Open on Monday, August 31, sweeping the match in straight sets. It was his first competitive singles match since a right wrist injury forced him out of the Barcelona Open in mid-April, a layoff that also kept him out of the French Open, Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open.
Alcaraz showed little rust despite the four-and-a-half-month absence, saving five of six break points and growing more comfortable as the match progressed against Safiullin, ranked outside the top 90. The Spaniard, seeded No. 2, advanced to face Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round.
The result extended Alcaraz's record at majors in 2026 to 8-0, following his Australian Open title in January that completed his career Grand Slam. He is a two-time US Open champion, having beaten Jannik Sinner in last year's final.
On the market, 40% of predictors had forecast a "Yes" outcome; the 60% majority anticipated Alcaraz would not win in straight sets given the extended layoff, but the community majority proved incorrect as he won comfortably in three sets.