US Open: Alcaraz and Djokovic face challenges on the road to the title
Tennis fans are gearing up for an exciting US Open, where Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will seek another title. Both tennis players could face tough American opponents on their way to glory.
Venus Williams, at 45 years old, is also returning to the tournament. She will face Karolina Muchova, eleventh seed and semi-finalist in New York in the last two years.
The draw for the men’s and women’s tournament has revealed interesting matchups from the first rounds. The tournament will begin on Sunday, a day earlier than usual.
Alcaraz, seeded number 2, will debut against Reilly Opelka. Opelka, with his powerful serve, was a top 20 player before injuries and reached the fourth round in New York in 2021.
Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam titles, including four US Open titles, will face Learner Tien, a 19-year-old left-handed player. Tien surprised Daniil Medvedev at this year’s Australian Open.
Djokovic, now ranked number 7, could have to overcome Taylor Fritz, seeded number 4, in the quarterfinals, then Alcaraz in the semifinals, and Jannik Sinner, the defending champion and number 1, in the final.
Venus Williams, who received a wildcard, will be the oldest player to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows since 1981.
Coco Gauff, 2023 US Open champion, will face Ajla Tomljanovic.
The possible men’s quarterfinals would be Sinner vs. Jack Draper, and Alexander Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur. The other side of the draw could see Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton, and Fritz vs. Djokovic.
In the women’s bracket, the quarterfinals could be Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jasmine Paolini, and Jessica Pegula vs. Mirra Andreeva. The other side of the bracket could see Iga Swiatek vs. Amanda Anisimova, and Gauff vs. Madison Keys.
