San Antonio tennis fans will be watching the start of the US Open this weekend as the tournament’s top draws are announced. Two storylines stand out for the local community: the return of Spain’s two‑time champion Carlos Alcaraz after a wrist injury, and the surprise wild‑card pairing of veteran Venus Williams against former Grand Slam winner Sofia Kenin.
Alcaraz’s First Match Since April
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, the defending US Open champion, will open his campaign on Sunday against Russia’s Roman Safiullin. The Spaniard has not played a singles match since April, having missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to a right‑wrist injury. Alcaraz made a brief mixed‑doubles appearance with Serena Williams at Wimbledon, but looked rusty, underscoring the importance of a sharp start in New York.
Safiullin earned his spot by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon, upsetting Andrey Rublev and João Fonseca before falling to Novak Djokovic in four sets. He also defeated Alcaraz at the 2023 Paris ATP Masters 1000, a loss the Spaniard avenged at the Paris Olympics the following year.
Williams‑Kenin Wild Card Match
When the United States Tennis Association (USTA) awarded a wild card to 46‑year‑old Venus Williams, the expectation was that sister Serena might also compete. However, Serena elected to play only doubles, leaving the final wild‑card slot open. The USTA granted it to 44‑year‑old Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, creating a first‑round match between two American icons.
Williams, a six‑time US Open champion, received the wild card as a nod to her enduring popularity and contributions to the sport. Kenin, who captured a Grand Slam title in 2020, will look to prove she still belongs among the elite. Their encounter adds a compelling narrative for fans in Texas and across the nation.
Other Notable First‑Round Matchups
Alexander Zverev, the French Open champion who became the No. 1 seed after Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury, will open against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. Two‑time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka faces Colombia’s Camila Osorio, while the top‑seeded Sabalenka could meet Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals.
In the women’s draw, the potential quarterfinals feature Elena Rybakina vs. Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff vs. Mirra Andreeva, the French Open champion. Jessica Pegula, who opens against Elena‑Gabriela Ruse, could meet the winner of the Williams‑Kenin match in the second round.
On the men’s side, the projected quarterfinals include Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger‑Aliassime vs. Flavio Cobolli, Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton, and Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev.
Veterans and Rising Stars
Former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka, playing his final Grand Slam before retirement, received a wild card and will face Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon runner‑up. Arthur Fils, the No. 10 seed fresh off his Cincinnati Open title, meets two‑time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round.
Rublev, seeded 23rd, will take on 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, while Lorenzo Musetti opens against Britain’s Arthur Fery, who fell to Zverev in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Qualifying and Weather Delays
Some first‑round matches remain pending as qualifying concludes and rain‑related postponements are resolved. Players such as Marta Kostyuk and Alex Eala are awaiting their opponents.
The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, promises high‑stakes competition and memorable moments for fans in San Antonio and across the country.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
