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Alcaraz Faces Risky US Open Debut After Djokovic Shock

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The US Open 2026 has begun with dramatic early news.

There has been a shock result involving Novak Djokovic, surprising fans around the world.

Now attention turns to Carlos Alcaraz, who is about to play his first match of the tournament.

Alcaraz will face Roman Safiullin in what is being called a risky debut.

This match is considered risky because Alcaraz has only recently returned to competition.

His return after time away is being described as a comeback.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner is absent from this year's US Open.

His absence changes the balance of the men's competition.

On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka is also struggling in her opening match.

She is the player who officially opens the tournament.

The US Open is one of tennis's four Grand Slam events, held every year in New York.

It attracts the best players from around the world.

This year, however, the scenario looks especially unpredictable.

Several top names are missing or facing difficult starts.

Analysts say this creates more uncertainty than usual.

No one can be sure which players will reach the later rounds.

Alcaraz, in particular, will be watched closely.

His performance against Safiullin could show whether he is ready to compete at the highest level again.

Fans are waiting to see how both Alcaraz and Sabalenka respond to the pressure.

With Djokovic's shock result already shaking the tournament, more surprises may follow.

Vocabulary10 words

shock
a big surprise, often not good
debut
the first appearance in a competition
comeback
a return to competing after stopping
Grand Slam
one of the four biggest tennis tournaments
scenario
the way a situation looks or could develop
uncertainty
a feeling of not knowing what will happen
absence
the fact that someone is not present
opponent
the person you compete against
pressure
stress from needing to perform well
rounds
stages of a competition

Quiz

1. Why is Alcaraz's debut considered risky?
2. Who opens the tournament for the women and is struggling?
3. Is Jannik Sinner playing in the 2026 US Open?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The US Open 2026 has begun with dramatic early _____.

There has been a shock result involving Novak _____.

Alcaraz will face Roman Safiullin in what is being called a risky _____.

His return after time away is being described as a _____.

Jannik Sinner is _____ from this year's US Open.

On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka is also struggling in her opening _____.

The US Open is one of tennis's four _____ events.

This year, however, the scenario looks especially _____.

Analysts say this creates more _____ than usual.

Fans are waiting to see how both Alcaraz and Sabalenka respond to the _____.

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