Alex Eala has been singled out as a potential threat at the 2026 US Open after a former world No 4 described her as an “unbelievable competitor”. The world No 18 arrives in New York as the 17th seed and opens her campaign against Mary Stoiana on Tuesday.

This will be Eala’s second appearance in the US Open main draw. Last year, she reached the second round, and she now returns with a stronger profile after producing the best Grand Slam performance of her career so far at Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round in 2026.

Her route through the draw could still demand a lot. She is projected to meet 14th seed Iva Jovic in the third round and No 4 seed Coco Gauff in the last 16, a section that underlines the scale of the challenge ahead.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Tim Henman chose Eala as his dark horse in the women’s draw. “[Eala is an] unbelievable competitor,” said the former British No 1.

“The improvement she’s made in her game, and add to that the support that she has, she really is great to watch.

“I love her attitude and that spirit. So, as an outsider, I’m very happy with that pick.”

Henman also named world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time reigning US Open champion, as his favourite for the title. On Sabalenka, he said: “She hasn’t been playing particularly well, but I think a player of her stature, when she gets to the Grand Slams and the biggest and best events, you find that there’s an extra gear to her game and there’s also an extra intensity to her focus and concentration.”

“You go back to that old saying: Form is temporary, class is permanent.”

Eala, meanwhile, spoke confidently about the mindset she is carrying into the event. “I think I have a pretty strong baseline of belief in myself. And of course, it can all, it’s very normal that it fluctuates,” said Eala.

“There are moments where it’s more difficult to believe in yourself. And there are moments where it’s much easier. But I think my baseline has remained quite steady, and maybe on an incline, but a very, very, very slow incline.

“I think that’s what’s important is to have that foundation of, I know what I can do, I’m strong, who I am as a person, what my character is. And then of course, the results may vary, depending on the time of the year and how you’re doing at the moment.”

Carlos Alcaraz opened his 2026 US Open campaign with a composed return to competitive tennis, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 22 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The reigning champion, seeded second in Flushing Meadows and ranked world No 3, was playing his first singles match since a right wrist injury forced him out after the Barcelona Open on 14 April. It was a significant first step back for the seven-time Grand Slam champion, who had been away from match play for months.

Against the world No 99, Alcaraz kept the contest under control for most of the evening. He was broken only once, when Safiullin moved 2-0 ahead in the second set, but Alcaraz responded immediately by breaking back. In the other two sets, one break of serve was enough to separate the players.

The result carried added weight because of the long layoff and the quality of the opponent. Alcaraz did not face an easy opener, yet he handled the occasion with authority and left with a win that will ease him into the tournament.

Speaking in his on-court interview, Alcaraz said: “This has been a really tough five months. To be able to step onto Arthur Ashe and compete again means so much. I couldn’t have picked a better tournament than here in New York.

“It’s a really special place and tournament for me. I missed the crowd, the energy, and the competition. I’m just really happy I was able to get back out there and compete again.

“There were some doubts in the match, I’m not going to lie. Thinking about if I would last the match, best of five, playing four or five sets.

“I had a little bit of doubt, but I tried to forget everything and focus on the things I needed to improve. I thought about what would happen in the match and physically I felt really well.”

He added that his tennis must still improve, but said he expects to build gradually as the tournament continues: “The level of tennis has got to be better. I’m happy with the levelled I played in my first official match in four months.

“I’m proud about it. But I need more matches under the belt, get into the rhythm of the tournament. I’m pretty sure I’m going to get better and better after every day.

“I’m most proud of mentally being able to deal with the nerves and doubts.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas opened his 2026 US Open campaign with a result that immediately changed the tone of the tournament, calling himself “speechless” after defeating Arthur Fils in the first round.

The world No 53 beat the No 10 seed 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Monday at Flushing Meadows. For Tsitsipas, it was a match that asked serious questions before he found the answers. He was one set down and staring at a potential two-set deficit when he trailed 4-6, 2-5, but he managed to turn the contest around by taking the second set in a tiebreak and then pressing on to a four-set win.

The 28-year-old Greek arrived as the clear outsider despite his pedigree as a two-time Grand Slam finalist and former world No 3. Fils, by contrast, came into the event at a career-best world No 11 after capturing the biggest title of his career at the Cincinnati Masters, and many viewed the 22-year-old Frenchman as a serious contender.

Instead, Tsitsipas produced the tournament’s biggest upset so far.

After the win, he said: “I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. It’s an amazing start to the tournament. Guys, you had my back the entire match. Thank you so much.”

He also explained what helped him respond after falling behind, saying: “Let go of expectations. I feel like we can get dragged with a lot of expectations.

“Carrying that heavy boat is not easy during a match, especially when the psychological game of a match like that is crucial. It’s important to stay well composed and keep building on your game.

“I owe everything to letting go, not having any expectations, and just being a warrior, a Greek fighter. All the above.”

Asked about returning to the top, Tsitsipas replied: “Why not? I’m taking it a day at a time. I don’t wanna be looking too far away. I prefer to stay grounded in the moment.

“A win like this today matters a lot to me. I’m very proud of myself. The way I fought and executed my game plan.

“Most of all, I have an incredible team by my side that was just dragging me through the entire process. I can’t be more happy right now.”

Tsitsipas will next face world No 139 Lloyd Harris.