Alcaraz set for Cincinnati and US Open after wrist injury

Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is poised to make his competitive return from a wrist injury next month, with his name appearing on the official entry lists for both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. The reigning US Open champion has been sidelined since April, missing the French Open and Wimbledon, but is now targeting the August hardcourt swing for his comeback.

Alcaraz, a seven-time major champion, sustained the injury to his right wrist during his opening match at the Barcelona Open in April. His planned return centers on the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, a traditional tune-up for the US Open, which begins on August 30. Notably, his name does not appear on the entry list for the Canadian Open in Toronto, suggesting a strategy to skip the earlier tournament to ensure his fitness for the final Grand Slam of the year.

The Spaniard's extended absence has impacted his ATP ranking, dropping him to world No. 3 as of July 20. He trails Jannik Sinner, who is assured of the top seed at the US Open, and Alexander Zverev. This seeding sets up a potentially difficult path at Flushing Meadows, where Alcaraz could face Sinner in the semifinals and Zverev in the final, should all...