Tough US Open draw will test Alcaraz fitness - and who will Brits face?

Carlos Alcaraz will face Russia's Roman Safiullin in the opening round of the US Open on Monday, a match that serves as the first major test of his fitness following a prolonged wrist injury. The second-seeded Spaniard, who won the 2023 US Open title, has not played a competitive singles match since April due to inflammation in his right wrist. Despite his absence, Alcaraz remains the tournament favorite, particularly as his primary rival, Jannik Sinner, is also sidelined with a knee injury.

Alcaraz’s return to competition has been cautious. He partnered with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles earlier this week, wearing a compression sleeve on his right arm. While his play appeared restrained, the intensity of a best-of-five-set Grand Slam singles match against Safiullin will present a far greater challenge. The 29-year-old Russian, ranked inside the top 50, has a powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, making him a difficult early opponent.

The US Open draw suggests a daunting path ahead for Alcaraz if he advances. Projected opponents include Americans Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton, Frenchman Arthur Fils, and a potential semifinal clash with Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic begins his campaign against Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round, with a potential second-round match against either Italy’s Matteo Berrettini or Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka, who is playing his final major.

In the women’s draw, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus faces Colombia’s Camila Osorio in her opening match. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, has held the top ranking for 97 weeks but faces pressure from reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who will play American wildcard Thea Frodin.

British interest at the tournament centers on several players. Arthur Fery, a surprise Wimbledon semifinalist, leads a modest British contingent after Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu withdrew due to injuries. Fery, ranked 37th, takes on Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the first round. Cameron Norrie, Britain’s top seed at No. 37, faces France’s Luca van Assche, while Jan Choinski plays Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. Katie Boulter, now Britain’s top-ranked woman, meets American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee and could face Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova in the second round if she advances.

The absence of Draper and Raducanu has left the British team without its two highest-ranked players, adding pressure to a squad led by Boulter and Fery. Five other British players—Francesca Jones, Jacob Fearnley, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart, and Harry Wendelken—are in qualifying, with matches postponed due to weather.

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