Novak Djokovic’s quest to complete the Grand Slam will begin against a qualifier following Thursday’s release of the US Open draw. In the second round he could face big-hitting German all-court player Jan-Lennard Struff, who took a set from the Serb at the 2020 Australian Open.
In the third round, the World No. 1 could meet former finalist Kei Nishikori or 27th seed David Goffin and in the fourth round is seeded to meet either Aslan Karatsev, whom he defeated in the Australian Open semi-finals, or Australian 14th seed Alex de Minaur.
Should Djokovic reach the quarter-finals, he could meet sixth seed Matteo Berrettini, whom he beat in the Wimbledon final or Polish 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz.
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Interesting first-round matches include World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas against 2012 champion and former World No. 1 Andy Murray.
Unseeded Australian Nick Kyrgios, perhaps the most dangerous floater, will play gritty Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, while Briton Cameron Norrie, who is enjoying a breakout season, will play 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
Second seed Daniil Medvedev will play French veteran Richard Gasquet. Top-ranked American John Isner will face 20-year-old countryman Brandon Nakashima.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who is riding an 11-match winning streak and who toppled Djokovic en route to the Tokyo Olympics gold medal, could meet the 20-time Grand Slam champion in the semi-finals.
The German opens against big-serving American Sam Querrey. He is seeded to meet Alexander Bublik in the third round, #NextGenATP Jannik Sinner in the fourth round and seventh-seeded Canadian Denis Shapovalov or ninth-seed Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarter-finals.
More to follow…
