‘Pain-free’ Alcaraz brushes aside qualifier in US Open return after four months out

Spaniard beats Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Alcaraz has not played since April with wrist injury As Carlos Alcaraz edged closer to the conclusion of his first singles set in more than four and a half months, like so many times in his career instinct took over. Up 5-4, 30-15 in set one, Alcaraz swept forward to the net behind a precise wide serve and, when his opponent Roman Safiullin responded with a dipping backhand return directly to his feet, Alcaraz delicately pushed a half-volley over…