US Open Draw: Alcaraz Could Meet Sinner In QFs, Djokovic Learns Path
US Open Draw: Alcaraz Could Meet Sinner In QFs, Djokovic Learns Path
Reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will begin his title defence against Dominik Koepfer and could meet sixth seed Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals in what would be a rematch of their epic 2022 New York clash, following the release of the draw Thursday.
The top seed Alcaraz, who is chasing his third major title at the hard-court Slam, arrives in New York off the back of a final run at Cincinnati. The 20-year-old is seeded to face 16th seed Cameron Norrie in the fourth round and is in the same half as third seed Daniil Medvedev, who would be a semi-final opponent.
The 27-year-old Medvedev lifted his maiden major title at the US Open in 2021. He opens against Attila Balazs and could meet Toronto finalist Alex de Minaur in the fourth round. Long-time friend Andrey Rublev is a potential quarter-final opponent.
In the bottom half, record 23-time major champion Novak Djokovic faces Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the first round. The 36-year-old Serbian, who is a three-time champion in New York, is in the same quarter as seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who could meet American Taylor Fritz in the fourth round. Tsitsipas opens against former World No. 3 Milos Raonic.
Djokovic is seeded to meet Laslo Djere in the third round and 2021 semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round.
Last year’s finalist Casper Ruud is also in the bottom half and is seeded to face fourth seed Holger Rune in the quarter-finals. If Djokovic advances to the last four, he is seeded to face the winner.
Norway’s Ruud is currently 10th (2,580 points) in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin and will want a deep run in New York to boost his Nitto ATP Finals chances. Rune, who is aiming to make his debut at the prestigious year-end event, is seventh (3,045 points).
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The 2020 finalist Alexander Zverev, currently eighth in the ATP Live Race To Turin (2,670 points), is in the top quarter of the draw. He opens against Aleksandar Vukic and could meet Sinner in the fourth round.
American Fritz plays countryman Steve Johnson, while last year’s semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe takes on American wild card Learner Tien. The 2012 champion Andy Murray faces Corentin Moutet and could face 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the second round.
#NextGenATP stars Arthur Fils, Ben Shelton and Luca Van Assche will be hoping to boost their chances of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Fils begins against 24th seed Tallon Griekspoor, while American Shelton faces Pedro Cachin. Van Assche plays 23rd seed Nicolas Jarry.