Just In: US Open draw in full with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on collision course
The draw for the upcoming US Open took place on Thursday evening, with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic discovering their first-round opponents. It has been billed as one of the most open Grand Slams in recent memory, with Jannik Sinner not competing and Alcaraz having only just returned from a long-term injury absence.
The young Spaniard will go into the tournament as the favourite to claim the spoils, but there are question marks given that he has not played a competitive match since April. If he is knocked out in the early rounds, it will open the door for the likes of Djokovic and Alexander Zverev to get their hands on the trophy. Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, Aryna Sabalenka will be hoping to shake off her wretched recent form and win the US Open for the third time in as many years.
Men’s singles draw
Interestingly, Alcaraz and Djokovic have been placed on the same side of the men’s draw, meaning that if they face each other, it will come before the final.
The young Spaniard will go up against Roman Safiullin in the opening round, while Djokovic will take on Mariano Navone.
Arthur Fery, the breakout star of Wimbledon, faces a tough test against Lorenzo Musetti and another mouthwatering tie will see Stefanos Tsitsipas play Arthur Fils.
Stan Wawrinka, who was finally handed a US Open wildcard at the eleventh hour, has been drawn against Matteo Berrettini in a repeat of their Wimbledon showdown.
The winner could face Djokovic in the second round if the veteran Serb avoids an early upset against Safiullin.
Women’s singles draw
Sabalenka will begin her quest for a US Open three-peat against Camila Osorio, while Elena Rybakina will go up against Thea Frodin in the opening round.
Mirra Andreeva will face Janice Tjen while Alexandra Eala has been drawn against a qualifier in her opening match.
Some of the other standout ties include Emma Navarro vs Lois Boisson, Jessica Pegula vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse and McCartney Kessler vs Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Elsewhere, Iva Jovic will face Magdalena Frech and Coco Gauff will take on Zeynep Sonmez. Iga Swiatek plays Xiyu Wang, while Naomi Osaka will do battle with Anastasia Zakharova.
Katie Boulter, the highest-ranked British woman in the draw, will play Carol Young Suh Lee for a place in the second round
