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US Open draws set first-round matchups for Alcaraz, Venus Williams
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will face Roman Safiullin while wild card recipient Venus Williams plays Sofia Kenin as main draw play begins Sunday.
The short version
- The 2026 US Open singles draws were released on Thursday, establishing the opening-round matchups ahead of main draw play starting Sunday.
- Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz opens against Roman Safiullin in his first singles match since April following a wrist injury.
- Alexander Zverev is the men's top seed after Jannik Sinner's withdrawal, and Aryna Sabalenka enters as the two-time defending women's champion.
- Wild card entrant Venus Williams was drawn against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Key facts
- The singles draws for the US Open were released on Thursday in New York, with main draw play scheduled to start on Sunday.[Associated Press]
- Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is seeded No. 2 and will play Roman Safiullin in his first singles match since April.[Associated Press]
- Alexander Zverev is the men's No. 1 seed after Jannik Sinner withdrew due to a knee injury.[Associated Press]
- Venus Williams received a wild card and was drawn to face Sofia Kenin in the first round.[Associated Press]
- Two-time defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed and will open against Camila Osorio.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Several first-round opponents remain undetermined pending the conclusion of qualifying tournaments.[Associated Press]