The US Open gets underway this weekend, and there are plenty of question marks surrounding the men’s draw. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is one of seven men to withdraw from the tournament. The Italian has not played a match since he successfully defended his Wimbledon title last month, and would have been the favourite to win a second US Open crown.
Meanwhile, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is making his return from a four-month injury layoff, so little is known about how he will perform, especially jumping straight into best-of-five set matches. It’s been three years since Novak Djokovic last won a Major title, and he threw up during his three-set opening-round defeat at the recent Cincinnati Open, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion can never be ruled out.
Zverev Leads the Field
In Sinner’s absence, Alexander Zverev will be the No. 1 seed. The German won a long-awaited first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June when Sinner and Djokovic lost early, and Alcaraz didn’t play. He also finished runner-up at Wimbledon.
But the world No. 2 has since suffered back-to-back early exits at the Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati, winning just two matches across the North American hard-court swing so far. While there are doubts surrounding some of the usual suspects and former Grand Slam champions, other contenders have emerged.
Home Hopes and Form Players
No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in Flushing Meadows 23 years ago, and this may well be one of the best chances for a home hero to be crowned the US Open champion. Ben Shelton successfully defended his Canadian Open title earlier this month and is a former semi-finalist in New York, and he will like his chances as the No. 8 seed there.
Taylor Fritz will be the No. 9 seed and finished runner-up at the US Open two years ago. He comes in with confidence after winning the DC Open in Washington and reaching the quarters in Cincinnati. Frances Tiafoe thrives under the lights at the US Open, and after finishing runner-up at the Cincinnati Open, will no doubt be looking for another deep run in Flushing Meadows after two previous semi-final showings.
Arthur Fils will come in full of form after winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati. The Frenchman also reached the last eight in Montreal and will be seeded 10th in Flushing Meadows. And Rafael Jodar has also cemented himself as a prime candidate after a successful North American hard-court swing, which saw him finish runner-up in Washington, get to the semis in Canada, and the last 16 in Cincinnati.
And while Daniil Medvedev suffered some surprise early exits in Canada and Cincinnati, he will be one of just four former US Open champions in New York this summer, along with Alcaraz, Djokovic and Marin Cilic.
Seven Stars Missing
But there are some big names missing from this year’s US Open, as well as just Sinner. Home stars Sebastian Korda, Emilio Nava and Ethan Quinn have all had to withdraw due to injuries. Spanish world No. 27 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is also out with a back issue, with Gabriel Diallo withdrawing after retiring mid-match in Montreal earlier this month.
And former world No. 4 Holger Rune has delayed his return from an Achilles injury again. Rune and his team decided against coming back at a Grand Slam in best-of-five set matches, and he will now return for Denmark’s Davis Cup tie against Bulgaria in September.
