By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz looks to fend off Novak Djokovic in his first experience of becoming a defending champion at a Grand Slam.
- Top Seeds: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune
- British Interest: Cameron Norrie [16], Dan Evans [26], Andy Murray, Jack Draper
NEW YORK, USA – Carlos Alcaraz looks to defend a Grand Slam for the first time in his career as he battles Novak Djokovic for the US Open title.
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[1] Carlos Alcaraz
Best Result: Champion (2022)
After winning Wimbledon, Alcaraz now prepares for his first ever Grand Slam title defence at the US Open but he enters the tournament knowing that he will most likely lose his world number one ranking in New York.
Alcaraz’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Dominik Koepfer | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Lloyd Harris | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Dan Evans [26] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-0
- R4: Cameron Norrie [16] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 4-2
- QF: Jannik Sinner [6] | H2H: Tied at 3-3
- SF: Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1
- F: Novak Djokovic [2] | H2H: Tied at 2-2
A couple of awkward opening rounds against Dominik Koepfer and Lloyd Harris is followed by a potential third round match with Washington champion Dan Evans. The world number one could then face either an out-of-form Cameron Norrie or Tallon Griekspoor before renewing rivalry with Jannik Sinner at the scene where they had a five set thriller last year. Overall, Alcaraz has been given a tough draw and should he win his second consecutive US Open title, there will be no doubt denying that he is the best player of his generation.
[2] Novak Djokovic
Best Result: Champion (2011, 2015, 2018)
Djokovic makes his return to New York after a one year absence and has the momentum heading into this year’s US Open after beating Alcaraz in a four hour thriller in the Cincinnati final.
Djokovic’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Alexandre Muller | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Bernabe Zapata Miralles | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Laslo Djere [32] | H2H: Djokovic leads 1-0
- R4: Felix Auger-Aliassime [15] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- QF: Stefanos Tsitsipas [7] | H2H: Djokovic leads 11-2
- SF: Holger Rune [4] | H2H: Rune leads 2-1
- F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Tied at 2-2
Djokovic has a dream route to the final even if Brandon Nakashima could test the Serb in the third round. The world number two will have to go through out-of-form players such as Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas before facing Rune or Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. Overall Djokovic has a fairly comfortable draw which could serve him well in the final when he potentially has that blockbuster final against Alcaraz.
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[3] Daniil Medvedev
Best Results: Champion (2021)
Since winning Rome, Medvedev is yet to produce impressive form and is hoping that changes at what is his favourite Grand Slam tournament.
Medvedev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Attila Balazs | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Max Purcell | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Borna Coric [27] | H2H: Coric leads 4-3
- R4: Alex De Minaur [13] | H2H: Medvedev leads 4-2
- QF: Andrey Rublev [8] | H2H: Medvedev leads 5-2
- SF: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1
- F: Novak Djokovic [2] | H2H: Djokovic leads 9-5
Medvedev will have to get through two in-form players if he wants to reach the second week in New York with Max Purcell and Borna Coric hitting good form at the right time. Should Medvedev pass those tests than he should face Hubert Hurkacz or Andrey Rublev for a place in the US Open. The first week is tough for Medvedev but if he can negotiate those obstacles than he can be a very serious contender for the title especially with all the attention being placed on Alcaraz and Djokovic.
[4] Holger Rune
Best Result: Third Round (2022)
Despite Rune’s impressive performances this year, Rune enters the US Open this year having lost five consecutive matches and is struggling for consistent fitness.
Rune’s Path to the Final
- R1: Roberto Carballes Baena | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- R2: Jiri Lehecka | H2H: Rune leads 1-0
- R3: Alexander Bublik [25] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- R4: Tommy Paul [14] | H2H: First Meeting
- QF: Casper Ruud [5] | H2H: Ruud leads 6-1
- SF: Novak Djokovic [2] | H2H: Rune leads 2-1
- F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1
Rune has got a tough draw and hasn’t got time to settle into the tournament with Jiri Lehecka, Alexander Bublik and Tommy Paul all in very good form at the moment. If Rune can somehow pass those difficult tests than he has every chance of winning the tournament however with his level of fitness at the moment that looks like an ambitious dream rather than reality.
The 2023 US Open takes place between on the 28 August and 10 September.
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