Jannik Sinner handed nightmare US Open draw as Novak Djokovic is a big winner
The US Open draw is out and world No 1 Jannik Sinner has been handed a hugely challenging path to a possible final against Novak Djokovic.
Italy’s top-seeded Sinner would have been keen to avoid No 3 seed in his half of the draw, but he is projected to take on the Spanish star who won the French Open and Wimbledon in the European summer in the semi-finals.
In addition, he could also face a rematch with hard court specialist Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals, in what could be a repeat of their Wimbledon last-eight clash last month, which was won by the Russian.
Sinner will play a qualifier in his opening match and he could face Stan Wawrinka in round two, with America’s Tommy Paul also in his section of the draw.
Alcaraz also has some tough assignments in his section of the draw, with Jack Draper a possible third round opponent after he lost against the Brit on grass at the Queen’s Club in June.
Big-hitting American Seb Korda and the always-dangerous Hubert Hurkacz are also in Alcaraz’s quarter, who may need to beat Sinner and Djokovic to win his second US Open title.
Djokovic will face a qualifier in the first round and could clash with America’s Ben Shelton in round four, with Alexander Zverev a potential quarter-final rival.
Shelton will meet former champion Dominic Thiem in an eye-catching first round match, with tennis legend John McEnroe predicting there may be a surprise winner at the final Grand Slam of 2024.
With Sinner certain to be questioned relentlessly about his failed drug tests at Indian Wells throughout this US Open, he may be distracted by the biggest story in tennis that has erupted around him.
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Meanwhile, Alcaraz has arrived in New York after his worst performance of the year as he lost against Gael Monfils in Cincinnati, while Djokovic has had no hard-court practice after taking a break from the sport following his win at the Olympics.
That inspires tennis legend John McEnroe to suggest this year’s US Open might not be won by one of the new ‘Big Three’ in the men’s game.
“The door is open for someone else to come through and win,” said McEnroe, speaking at a Eurosport event.
“Sinner has all this going on with the drug story now, Alcaraz looked a little jaded in Cincinnati and I would ask how much does he have left in the tank.
“Then you look at Novak coming off the finally winning the gold, so it is more likely that we could have someone else come through.
“If you ask me who I would pick to win the Open, I’d probably still go with Sinner, Alcaraz or Djokovic, but we will have a lot of tired players in this tournament as it has been a crazy summer with the schedule.”
Zverev may be the most likely player to make a run for his first Grand Slam title if the biggest names in the men’s game are not firing on all cylinders and he will open his campaign in New York with a match against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori before a potential last eight clash against Casper Ruud.
Yet it is Sinner who has been handed the toughest draw, with the chaos circling around the Italian after his drug test story adding to his mix as he aims to win his first US Open title.
