Alcaraz, who is playing in New York after returning from a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury, defeated his 72nd-ranked opponent 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in 2hr 40 min at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Alcaraz, 23, will face China's Wu Yibing in the third round.

Dopo oltre 4 mesi di stop per l'infortunio al polso, lo spagnolo regola il russo e si qualifica al secondo turno. Affronterà il portoghese Jaime Faria

Carlos Alcaraz opened his US Open title defense in solid fashion Monday, defeating Russia's Roman Safiullin in straight sets in his highly anticipated first singles match in more…