Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova were among the winners on Monday at the 2026 US Open, while Stefanos Tsitsipas scored a big upset against 10th seed and Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils. In the evening session, Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton, Iga Swiatek and Frances Tiafoe all advanced.
Alcaraz beat Roman Safiullin, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in a successful injury return after four months out with a right wrist problem.
"I forgot how match day looks like," said the Spaniard, who was a bundle of nerves before he stepped into Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Just as important as the result was his health in the aftermath: "After the match, my body felt great," he said. "I'm just really, really happy that I made it finally."
Sabalenka opened her bid for a third straight US Open women's singles title with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Camila Osorio in Ashe, while Anisimova beat Ashlyn Krueger, 6-1, 6-3, in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Other notable results included Matteo Berrettini's 7-6(4), 7-6(3), 6-0 win against Stan Wawrinka—a result that ended the 2016 US Open champion's Grand Slam career—and Andrey Rublev's 6-7(5), 6-7(0), 6-0, 6-2, 7-6(5) comeback against lucky loser Otto Virtanen.
What were the biggest upsets on Monday at the US Open?
Tsitsipas earned the biggest win of his US Open career by coming back from a set and a break down to upset Fils, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4. The Greek, a former world No. 3, was just 3-4 in main-draw matches this summer on hard courts entering New York. He will now seek to match his deepest run in Flushing by reaching the third round with a win against qualifier Lloyd Harris.
Taylor Townsend also advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 upset against 20th seed Maja Chwalinska, this year's Roland Garros runner-up.
What Americans advanced on Monday at the 2026 US Open?
Anisimova, Shelton, Tiafoe and Townsend were joined by Learner Tien, Emma Navarro, Sloane Stephens, Alex Michelsen, Brandon Nakashima, Sebastian Gorzny, Ann Li and Caty McNally among the American winners on Day 2 of main-draw singles play.
Anisimova is a returning finalist in New York, but the American is starting fresh at her home Slam.
"I don't really necessarily look at it as defending," she said. "I just look at it as a new tournament and another opportunity."
Parting Shot: Anisimova celebrated her 25th birthday with a win and some post-match selfies.
View Monday's results and Tuesday's schedule.
