Carlos Alcaraz shakes off rust in Round 1 U.S. Open win

Carlos Alcaraz erases concerns with impressive first-round U.S. Open win

Last week, Alcaraz partnered with women's tennis great Serena Williams in U.S. Open mixed doubles to uneven results, splitting their two matches. But if that raised a question about his chances in the men's draw, Monday's result should have quelled it.

Alcaraz was sharp, finishing with just 27 unforced errors, including 15 over the final two sets. Endurance wasn't an issue either, with U.S. Open data showing he covered 6,184 feet in the match, over 200 feet more than Safiullin (5,974.1 ft.). 

Serving for the match in the third set, Alcaraz ran to chase down a ball that clipped the top of the net, then quickly recovered on Safiullin's return shot before backpedaling to retrieve a high-arching shot. Alcaraz eventually won the point on a drop shot close to the net.

Alcaraz faces world No. 72 Jaime Faria next. His path to the second weekend cleared somewhat when No. 30 seed Matteo Arnaldo, a potential third-round opponent, lost in his opening U.S. Open match to world No. 71 James Duckworth. He plays Wu Yibing (No. 113) in the second round. Alcaraz's first potential match against a seeded pro won't come until the fourth round, when No. 20 Tommy Paul or No. 15 Alexander Bublik could await.

Alcaraz's competition will get more challenging as the tournament progresses, but he should also be better as the rust from his long layoff fades. 

That's a scary thought. Alcaraz already looks like a danger to repeat as the U.S. Open champion. And he's only getting started.