After nearly four months on the sidelines and missing two Grand Slams, Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his long-awaited return to the court. The Spanish star appears to have fully recovered from a wrist injury and enters the US Open as the top contender for the title, especially with Jannik Sinner's withdrawal due to injury.
However, Alcaraz remains cautious about his comeback. Lacking match fitness after his extended break, he will need to secure swift victories in the early rounds to avoid being drawn into lengthy, physically demanding battles. His first test in New York will be against Roman Safiullin, who comes into the tournament following a strong run at Wimbledon where he reached the fourth round before falling to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Safiullin vs. Alcaraz: Date, Time, and How to Watch
The match between Roman Safiullin and Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled for Monday, August 31, with play beginning around 1:00 PM local time in New York (EST).
Viewers in the United States can watch the match live on ESPN.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record
Roman Safiullin and Carlos Alcaraz have matched up twice, with each player winning once. Alcaraz won most recently, beating Safiullin in the Round of 16 at the Paris Olympics in 2024 on clay. The Russian beat the Spaniard in 2023, also in Paris, this time at the Paris Masters in 2023 on hard court.
Player Profile: Roman Safiullin
Roman Rishatovich Safiullin | |
|---|---|
Born | Podolsk, Russia |
Date of birth | Aug. 7, 1997 |
Dominant hand | Right |
Ranking | 99 |
Prize money | $4,691,023 |
Player Profile: Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia | |
|---|---|
Born | El Palmar, Murcia, Spain |
Date of birth | May 5, 2003 |
Dominant hand | Right |
Ranking | 3 |
Prize money | $64,997,598 |
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