The draw for the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, has been made, setting the stage for a thrilling fortnight of tennis in New York. The men's singles draw has produced particularly gruelling potential paths for the two top favourites, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and 23-time major winner Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz's Treacherous Path to Glory
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz could not have asked for a tougher start to his title defence. The young Spaniard faces a potential third-round clash against the dangerous Briton, Dan Evans. Evans, known for his crafty slice and tactical intelligence, has the game to trouble the very best on his day.
Should he progress, a monumental fourth-round showdown against the powerful Italian, Jannik Sinner, potentially awaits. This would be a rematch of their epic five-hour, fifteen-minute quarter-final from 2022, widely considered one of the greatest US Open matches of all time.
Djokovic's Immediate Challenge
Novak Djokovic, returning to Flushing Meadows after missing last year's event due to travel restrictions, also faces a stern opening test. His first-round opponent is France's Alexandre Müller. While on paper a manageable fixture, the pressure of a night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium for his highly anticipated return adds a significant layer of intensity.
The Serbian legend's draw is littered with big hitters, ensuring he must be at his defensive best from the very first ball.
Venus Williams Awarded Wild Card, Faces Muchova
In the women's draw, all eyes will be on seven-time major champion Venus Williams. The legendary American, who has been awarded a wild card, has been handed a formidable first-round assignment against the in-form Czech player, Karolina Muchova.
Muchova, a finalist at this year's French Open, possesses a versatile and disruptive game that will challenge the 43-year-old Williams from the baseline. It promises to be a captivating clash of generations and styles.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova will be looking to navigate their sections of the draw as they pursue a second Grand Slam title this year. The action gets underway on Monday, August 28th, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
