Alcaraz and Djokovic face tough US Open paths as Swiatek and Rybakina set for potential quarter-final clash

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have been handed challenging routes at the US Open, with Alcaraz beginning his singles campaign against Roman Safiullin following his mixed-doubles appearance alongside Serena Williams this week.

The draw has placed Alcaraz and Djokovic in the same half, creating the possibility of a blockbuster meeting between the two Grand Slam stars later in the tournament.

Alcaraz Faces Difficult Route

Second seed Alcaraz will open his campaign against Russian Roman Safiullin. Should the Spaniard progress, he could face Alexander Bublik in the fourth round.

A potential quarter-final would then see Alcaraz take on either Arthur Fils, the Cincinnati champion, or Ben Shelton, who recently triumphed at the Canadian Open. Fils faces former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in a difficult opening-round contest.

Meanwhile, Djokovic begins his US Open campaign against Mariano Navone.

The Serbian could face four-time Grand Slam finalist Matteo Berrettini or former champion Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round. Wawrinka is competing at what is expected to be his final Grand Slam tournament.

Further into the draw, Brandon Nakashima and Frances Tiafoe could provide Djokovic with stern tests in the fourth round and quarter-finals respectively.

Zverev and Auger-Aliassime Lead Other Half

Top seed Alexander Zverev also faces a potentially tricky first-round encounter, with Lorenzo Sonego standing between him and the second round.

Zverev could eventually meet either Rafa Jodar or Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals.

Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime starts against Rinky Hijikata, although he could quickly face a major test against unseeded Karen Khachanov in the second round

Learner Tien is another possible fourth-round opponent, while Taylor Fritz and Flavio Cobolli sit in the same quarter of the draw.

Rybakina and Swiatek on Collision Course

On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek have been drawn into the same quarter, setting up the possibility of another meeting in the last eight.

The pair have already faced each other at both of the recent WTA 1000 events leading into the US Open. Swiatek defeated Rybakina in the Toronto final, while their Cincinnati encounter ended prematurely when the Kazakh retired.

Rybakina’s fitness remains a key question heading into the tournament.

The former Wimbledon champion opens against wildcard Thea Frodin, while Naomi Osaka could potentially await in the fourth round.

Gauff Also in the Race for No. 1

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are also in contention for the world No. 1 ranking, although both would need to win the US Open to have a chance of reaching the top spot.

Fourth seed and Cincinnati champion Gauff has been placed in Rybakina’s half and begins against Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez.

She could face one of the rising stars, Iva Jovic or Alexandra Eala, in the fourth round, before potentially meeting Mirra Andreeva or Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals.

Sabalenka Faces Brutal Draw

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka appears to have one of the toughest routes through the tournament.

The defending star begins against Camila Osorio, with two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova a potential third-round opponent.

Sabalenka could then face Diana Shnaider in the fourth round. Shnaider defeated the Belarusian at Roland Garros earlier in the season.

Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova are also positioned in Sabalenka’s quarter, adding further difficulty to her path.

Finally, third seed Jessica Pegula begins her bid for a maiden Grand Slam title against Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

Pegula could potentially face seven-time major champion Venus Williams in the second round, provided Williams can overcome Sofia Kenin and snap her current 14-match losing streak.

A quarter-final against either Elina Svitolina or Karolina Muchova could then await Pegula.