Sabalenka Starts Strong as Alcaraz Returns to the US Open Spotlight

NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka made a winning start to her US Open title defense Monday, beating Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium as the world’s top-ranked women’s player began her attempt to win the tournament for a third straight year.

Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed, produced 32 winners and recovered from a less convincing second set to close out the match in straight sets. She will next face Russia’s Polina Iatcenko in the second round.

The result keeps alive Sabalenka’s bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams won three consecutive US Open titles from 2012 through 2014 to achieve the feat in the professional era. Sabalenka won her second title at Flushing Meadows last year after also lifting the trophy in 2024.

Her victory also came with the No. 1 ranking in play. Sabalenka arrived in New York at the top of the women’s rankings, but several players remain in contention to overtake her depending on how the tournament unfolds.

Sabalenka gets the job done

The match was not entirely straightforward despite the two-set scoreline.

Osorio struggled with her consistency early, including five double faults in the opening set, while Sabalenka applied pressure with her power and aggressive baseline game. The Colombian made a stronger start to the second set, but Sabalenka eventually found the decisive break in the ninth game before serving out the match.

It was a useful opening for Sabalenka after a relatively quiet stretch since her strong run in March. She won both Indian Wells and Miami earlier in the season but has not added another title since the Sunshine Double.

Her immediate task is now Iatchenko, who awaits in the second round.

Alcaraz returns to singles competition

The attention then turns to the men’s defending champion.

Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to take the same court later Monday against Roman Safiullin in what will be his first singles match since April. The Spaniard has been sidelined with a right wrist injury and missed both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Alcaraz did return to competition in New York before the singles draw, partnering with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles event. The pair reached the quarterfinals, giving Alcaraz some match practice before his much more closely watched singles comeback.

The 23-year-old is the No. 2 seed and defending champion. He won the US Open in 2025 and enters this year’s tournament with seven Grand Slam titles already to his name.

His first-round opponent, Safiullin, is ranked No. 98 and has already beaten Alcaraz once, at the Paris Masters in 2023. Alcaraz won their more recent meeting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The match is scheduled as the second day-session contest on Arthur Ashe Stadium, following Sabalenka’s match. The ATP’s official schedule lists the session as beginning at 11:30 a.m. local time Monday.

A different men’s draw

Alcaraz’s return comes into sharper focus because the men’s tournament has already lost several major names.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament, while Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning first-round defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone. Djokovic’s loss was his earliest US Open exit in more than two decades.

Casper Ruud and former champion Marin Cilic also withdrew because of injuries, adding to the absences from the men’s field.

That leaves Alcaraz facing an unusual situation as he begins his title defense: he has the status of defending champion, but little recent singles competition behind him.

For now, the focus is simply on getting through the first match.

Sabalenka has already taken that first step on the women’s side. Alcaraz’s return is next.