Carlos Alcaraz begins his US Open title defense with a first-round clash against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer.
The top seed and defending champion, the Spaniard who claimed the grand slam crown in 2022, enters the tournament with Koepfer as the opener. Koepfer sits at world number 78 in the ATP rankings. If he advances, he would meet the winner of the match between Guido Pella of Argentina and Lloyd Harris of South Africa in the second round.
As the tournament’s top seed, Alcaraz would only face Novak Djokovic in a potential final should the draw unfold as expected. Djokovic, the second favorite, returns to the US Open after opting out of last year’s event due to vaccination rules surrounding the coronavirus.
Alcaraz followed up his Wimbledon success with a strong showing at Cincinnati, a Masters 1000 event, leaving fans curious about how he will carry momentum into the Open.
In the early rounds, the Spaniard could confront Daniel Evans from Britain in the third round, and a possible meeting with Cameron Norrie, another British player, could await in the round of 16 if the draw holds.
Looking further ahead, a quarterfinal showdown with Italian star Jannik Sinner looms as a marquee matchup, recalling their dramatic five-hour clash at the US Open last year that stretched into the early hours. The memory of that extended battle still resonates with fans and players alike.
Should he reach the semifinals, Alcaraz would likely face Daniil Medvedev of Russia, currently ranked third, in a test of nerve and skill on the big stage.
Djokovic’s path includes a first-round contest against France’s Alexandre Muller, who sits at number 85 in the rankings. The top half of the draw also features Holger Rune of Denmark, ranked fourth, who could begin his campaign by taking on Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, ranked 64, in a gripping opening test.
There is potential for Djokovic favorite positioning to meet Casper Ruud of Norway in a late round, while American hopes rest on players like Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, who are ranked ninth and tenth respectively, and Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at number 21. In the first round, American Marcos Giron, ranked 63, could clash with Davidovich or another top American prospect if the draw plays out as anticipated.
Spanish veteran Albert Ramos will begin his campaign against rising American Alex Michelsen, ranked 133, while Spaniard Bernabé Zapata Miralles could face another North American prospect like Ethan Quinn, who is currently ranked 474. If the second round holds, Zapata Miralles might run into Djokovic.
The US Open, the final major of the year, gets underway in New York from Monday, August 28, signaling another chapter in a season full of drama and high-level tennis for both veterans and rising stars alike. — Attribution: ATP Tour and event organizers