Carlos Alcaraz is officially back on the court, and he didn’t miss a beat, sweeping Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in his US Open return. This dude hadn’t played a singles set in over four and a half months, sidelined since April with a wrist injury, so seeing him dominate from the jump is exactly what fans wanted.
Pain-Free and Ready to Roll
Alcaraz stepped back into competition on August 31, 2026, and the biggest news is that he was “pain-free.” That’s huge after such a long layoff. To come back and deliver a comprehensive victory without dropping a set? That shows you the kind of form he’s in, proving he’s ready to make some noise.
That Signature Alcaraz Magic
The best part? That trademark creativity and feel we all missed was instantly there. Early in the first set, up 5-4, 30-15, Alcaraz served wide, then charged the net. When Safiullin hit a dipping backhand right at his feet, Alcaraz pulled off a delicate half-volley over the net for a winner. It was a gorgeous shot, a pure touch of genius, followed by that wide smile everyone recognizes. That one play told you everything: the guy is back to his old self.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Guardian.
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