US Open day two - listen to live commentary on BBC 5 Sports Extra (UK only)
GB's lucky loser Jacob Fearnley produces superb comeback to beat Martin Landaluce 4-6 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-3
Carlos Alcaraz wins 6-4 6-4 6-4 against Roman Safiullin in first singles match for over four months
Defending champion Alcaraz had not played singles since April after injuring his wrist
British qualifier Harriet Dart beats Peyton Stearns 3-6 6-3 6-2 for first Grand Slam win in over a year
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka battles to 6-2 6-4 win over Camila Osorio in first round of title defence
*Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-1 Safiullin
Roman Safiullin can't win either of the break points, with Carlos Alcaraz pinching the line with a cross-court forehand before he himself misses to take us to deuce.
But he'll get another crack as a booming forehand down the line catches the Spaniard off guard.
Image source, Getty Images*Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-1 Safiullin
Carlos Alcaraz opens up the door for Roman Safiullin, sinking a forehand into the net to give the Russian a 15-30 lead.
A long forehand from the Spaniard follows and Safiullin will have two shots at an early break.
*Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-1 Safiullin
Carlos Alcaraz just wasn't going away in that point, but Roman Safiullin waits patiently until he's able to dink the ball into the open court and wrap up the hold.
Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-0 Safiullin*
Roman Safiullin has made the most of that break, taking the full five minutes and then some. After changing his shoes, he's finally ready to go.
Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-0 Safiullin*
Carlos Alcaraz isn't show any sign of tiring.
He's bouncing up and down the baseline while he waits for Roman Safiullin to return to the court, as well as soaking up the atmosphere as Dolly Parton's '9 to 5' rings out inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-0 Safiullin*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live
I think Safiullin and his team will be pretty disappointed considering the opportunities that he's had. A chance to break serve in the first set, didn't grab them, broke in the second and then lost a couple of poor games by his standards.
He has not taken any of those opportunities really.
Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 0-0 Safiullin*
Carlos Alcaraz can't convert the first set point, but he works up another one and this time he gets it as Roman Safiullin fires wide.
The Spaniard swings his fist in celebration and struts back to his chair as Safiullin heads off court for a re-set.
Image source, Getty Images*Alcaraz 6-4 5-4 Safiullin
You can just tell Carlos Alcaraz is loving it out there. He's enjoying himself so much that he has time to sing along to Michael Jackson as music blasts out during the changeover.
And you can see it in the way he is playing. Angled drop shots and huge forehand winners. And now he's got himself a set point.
*Alcaraz 6-4 5-4 Safiullin
Not just yet, says Roman Safiullin.
The Russian will make Alcaraz serve it out as his serve comes out on top in that game.
*Landaluce 6-4 2-6 2-3 Fearnley
The third set between Martin Landaluce and Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley is back with serve after the pair traded breaks.
Landaluce took the first set 6-4 before Fearnley levelled the match, winning the second 6-2.
Alcaraz 6-4 5-3 Safiullin*
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live
Alcaraz has been pumped a lot today.
Every little win is celebrated today and I suppose it's hugely important for him to get through this match today and would be more so to get through it easily.
Alcaraz 6-4 5-3 Safiullin*
Carlos Alcaraz goes for a magical drop shot, but it falls flat and pulls Roman Safiullin level at 30-30.
The Russian can't make the most of the half chance, though, firing wide before meeting an Alcaraz drop shot with a shank off the net cord.
The Spaniard is one game away from a two-set lead.
*Alcaraz 6-4 4-3 Safiullin
Too good!
It's almost like he's never been away.
Carlos Alcaraz hammers a forehand down the line and, from 0-2 down, he leads the second set for the first time at 4-3.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 6-4 3-3 Safiullin*
Carlos Alcaraz forces the door open again, moving to 0-30 on Roman Safiullin's serve.
The Russian pulls one point back, but overhits from the baseline under pressure. Two break points.
Alcaraz 6-4 3-3 Safiullin*
No issue for Carlos Alcaraz in his latest service game.
The Spaniard hits long at 40-15, but carefully watches an overhead and smashes in to complete another hold.
*Alcaraz 6-4 2-3 Safiullin
A 20th unforced error of the match from Roman Safiullin's racquet brings Carlos Alcaraz to 30-30.
The Russian really has to dig in now, otherwise you sense this could quickly get away from him.
Fortunately, a couple of misses from Alcaraz let him off the hook.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 6-4 2-2 Safiullin*
The errors are really creeping in for Roman Safiullin, which is somewhat surprising given his promising start to this set.
From two games down, Alcaraz levels at 2-2 as he holds to 15 with a forehand winner.
*Alcaraz 6-4 1-2 Safiullin
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live
Poor game. One double-fault you'd be lucky to get out of that game, let alone two and the drive forehand volley at the end was another make-able shot. You can't afford to give away points.
*Alcaraz 6-4 1-2 Safiullin
He can!
Carlos Alcaraz takes full advantage as Roman Safiullin's level drops. A second double fault of the game from the Russian hands over a break back point, and he falters again on a volley.
Alcaraz 6-4 0-2 Safiullin*
There's no keeping Carlos Alcaraz down.
Despite the early setback in set two, the Spaniard is all smiles after he slams a backhand down the line for 15-30.
Can he find an immediate response?
