Alcaraz Faces Early Safiullin Test as US Open Title Defence Begins

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will begin his US Open title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin, while Venus Williams has been handed a high-profile first-round clash against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin as the draws for the season's final Grand Slam were announced on Thursday.

Main-draw action at the 2026 US Open begins on Sunday, with several intriguing opening-round contests already setting the stage for an action-packed fortnight.

For Alcaraz, seeded second, the opening match will mark his first singles appearance since April. The Spaniard was forced to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury and now returns with the task of defending his title.

Safiullin could prove to be a tricky opponent. The Russian reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, defeating Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca before losing to Novak Djokovic. He also stunned Alcaraz at the Paris Masters in 2023, although the Spaniard later avenged that defeat at the Paris Olympics.

The women's draw produced another major talking point as 46-year-old Venus Williams, competing on a wild card, was drawn against Sofia Kenin. A possible Williams sisters showdown had briefly appeared possible if Serena Williams had entered the singles competition, but the 44-year-old opted to play only doubles.

The winner of the Venus-Kenin clash could face Jessica Pegula in the second round, provided the third seed gets past Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

With Jannik Sinner withdrawing due to a knee injury, French Open champion Alexander Zverev enters as the top seed and will face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. Two-time defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka opens against Camila Osorio.

The draw also offers the prospect of blockbuster quarterfinals, including Alcaraz vs Ben Shelton, Zverev vs Alex de Minaur, Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev, and a potential women's showdown between Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva.

Among other eye-catching openers, Arthur Fils faces Stefanos Tsitsipas, while former champion Stan Wawrinka, playing his final Grand Slam before retirement, takes on Matteo Berrettini.

With Alcaraz returning from injury, Venus stepping back onto the Grand Slam stage and several potential heavyweight clashes on the horizon, the US Open draw has ensured that the drama begins from the very first round.