US Open draw hands Alcaraz, Sabalenka tough tests

New York: Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will face a tough challenge as he returns to singles action after a five-month break due to a wrist injury. Aryna Sabalenka, aiming for her third consecutive title, will also confront a formidable path to the final. The draw on Thursday placed Alcaraz in the stronger bottom half of the men's draw alongside former US Open champions Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic.

Alcaraz will open the year's final major against Roman Safiullin and could advance to face Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton in the quarters. In the semi-finals, he might contend with Djokovic, Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, or Brandon Nakashima. For Djokovic, who is chasing a record-tying 25th Grand Slam title, the tournament begins with a match against Mariano Navone.

Should he progress, he could face Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini in the second round. Top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who secured his maiden Grand Slam victory at this year's French Open, will start his campaign against Lorenzo Sonego. His potential route includes setbacks against Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round, Alex de Minaur in the quarters, Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semis, and Alcaraz in the final.

On the women's side, top seed Sabalenka will face Colombian Camila Osorio in her opening encounter. She could encounter Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals and in-form Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals, who ended the runner-up in two US Open tune-up events. Sabalenka's journey might include second-round clashes with Renata Zarazua, Barbora Krejcikova, and Diana Shnaider before a potential title showdown against Elena Rybakina.

Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff, who recently clinched the Cincinnati title, has been placed in the draw's bottom half and may meet Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals.