Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 1, defeated Colombian María Camila Osorio (ranked 59th) 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the 2026 US Open on 2026-08-25, beginning her quest for a third consecutive title. ^[1] Carlos Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, defeated Roman Safiullin (ranked 99th) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the 2026 US Open on 2026-08-25, returning from a 139-day absence due to a right wrist injury. ^[2] Aryna Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, to begin her bid to be the first player to win three straight U.S. Open championships since Serena Williams from 2012-14. ^[3] Heavy rain in New York delayed the start of the morning session of the US Open by at least two hours on Tuesday. ^[4] Alcaraz will face Portuguese player Jaime Faria (ranked 72nd) in the second round of the 2026 US Open. ^[5] Sabalenka is under pressure as she defends her title and her WTA No. 1 ranking, which is threatened by Elena Rybakina. ^[6] Sabalenka broke Osorio's serve three times during the first set of the match. ^[7] The match concluded with a score of 6-2, 6-4 in favor of Sabalenka and lasted one hour and 27 minutes. ^[8] Carlos Alcaraz won his second U.S. Open title last year and played his first singles match since April after being sidelined by a right wrist injury. ^[9] The Associated Press reported that if the No. 2 seed Alcaraz is healthy, he may quickly become a huge favorite with top-ranked Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury and No. 4 Novak Djokovic losing in the tournament's first round for the first time on Sunday. ^[10] Carlos Alcaraz completed a career Grand Slam in January by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to achieve the feat. ^[11] Only two matches are currently being played under cover: Francisco Comesaña against Flavio Cobolli, and Madison Keys against Alina Korneeva. ^[12]