Arabic version: ألكاراز يواجه سافيولين في عودته إلى بطولة أميركا المفتوحة

According to The Guardian, Carlos Alcaraz will face Roman Safiullin in the first round of the US Open as the defending champion returns to singles competition following a four-month injury layoff.

Alcaraz has not played singles since suffering a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April, an absence that ruled him out of the French Open and Wimbledon. He made a competitive return in mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams on Tuesday, when the pair lost in the quarter-finals.

Safiullin, ranked world No 98, has risen more than 100 places this year after returning from injury. The Russian defeated Alcaraz indoors at the Paris Masters in 2023. Jannik Sinner, the world No 1, withdrew from the tournament with a knee injury, leaving the men’s draw unusually open.

Fourth seed Novak Djokovic opens against Mariano Navone, while top seed Alexander Zverev faces Lorenzo Sonego. In the women’s draw, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka begins against Camila Osorio as she seeks to retain the No 1 ranking. Jessica Pegula, Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova are among the leading players in Sabalenka’s half.

Second seed Elena Rybakina enters with uncertainty after retiring from her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek because of a leg injury. Swiatek and Coco Gauff won the Toronto and Cincinnati tournaments respectively in the buildup to the US Open.