Novak Djokovic is making his return to the U.S. Open for the primary time since 2021 and Carlos Alcaraz has climbed to the highest rating with two main titles in his bag, however the trophy continues to be extra up for grabs than it was in the course of the Huge 3 period. Gone are the times when solely Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal had a practical likelihood of profitable each main. Djokovic and Alcaraz are clearly the 2 favorites, however gamers like Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, and Taylor Fritz can’t be discounted.
Here’s a breakdown of the 203 draw.
Alcaraz’s quarter
Alcaraz’s part (and whole half) of the draw is loaded. The world No. 1 is in in 1 / 4 with Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Stan Wawrinka, and Andy Murray. Thankfully for Alcaraz, it in all probability gained’t get troublesome for him till the QFs. That’s as a result of Sinner, Zverev, Murray, and Wawrinka are all within the different half of this part. Murray might get Grigor Dimitrov within the second spherical, whereas attainable third-round matchups are Zverev vs. Murray and Sinner vs. Wawrinka.
Finest first-round matchup — (24) Tallon Griekspoor vs. Arthur Fils
Finest potential second-round matchup – Andy Murray vs. (19) Grigor Dimitrov
Finest potential third-round matchup – Stan Wawrinka vs. (6) Jannik Sinner
Medvedev’s quarter
Medvedev is within the tougher high half, however his draw is definitely fairly good—significantly better than final 12 months, for instance, when he bumped into Nick Kyrgios in spherical 4 (Kyrgios gained in a four-setter). Previous to that disappointment, Medvedev’s three most up-to-date USO outcomes had been runner-up, semifinals, and champion. The world No. 3 might face a red-hot Max Purcell in spherical two, Alex de Minaur (who upset him in Toronto) within the final 16, and Hubert Hurkacz within the QFs. That isn’t a cakewalk, however Medvedev ought to have the ability to attain the semis.
Finest first-round matchup — (29) Ugo Humbert vs. Matteo Berrettini
Finest potential second-round matchup – Gael Monfils vs. (8) Andrey Rublev
Finest potential third-round matchup – (11) Karen Khachanov vs. (17) Hubert Hurkacz
Rune’s quarter
Rune’s part was all the time the place everybody else wished to be (in comparison with that of Alcaraz, Djokovic, or Medvedev a minimum of). With Casper Ruud additionally there, that’s particularly the case. Neither Rune nor Ruud is in good type, so the semifinal spot from this quarter is vast open. Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul are the subsequent highest-ranked guys they usually each have an awesome shot at changing. Tiafoe reached the USO SFs final season, whereas Paul made it to the Aussie Open semis earlier in 2023 and continues to play excellent tennis. You can also’t low cost Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Alexander Bublik, Sebastian Korda, Ben Shelton, and Jiri Lehecka. There’s a whole lot of depth right here.
Finest first-round matchup — (25) Alexander Bublik vs. Dominic Thiem
Finest potential second-round matchup – Jiri Lehecka vs. (4) Holger Rune
Finest potential third-round matchup – (14) Tommy Paul vs. (21) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Djokovic’s quarter
Djokovic followers had been moaning and groaning about no reside stream of the draw to look at, already conspiring in regards to the draw their man would get. Nicely, it’s protected to say he bought a fully dream draw with Medvedev, Sinner, and plenty of others within the different half. Djokovic will nearly actually coast into the QFs earlier than working into both Fritz or Stefanos Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas is the opposite top-eight seed on this sections and has a lot of profitable slam expertise, however Fritz has been on hearth nearly all through this season. The American would have an excellent likelihood if he faces Tsitsipas.
Finest first-round matchup — (15) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Mackenzie McDonald
Finest potential second-round matchup – Miomir Kecmanovic vs. (9) Taylor Fritz
Finest potential third-round matchup – (7) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (28) Chris Eubanks
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
