US Open draw hands Alcaraz, Sabalenka tough tests

The US Open draw has set up a tough path for defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and top seed Aryna Sabalenka, both seeking three-peat victories. Alcaraz, returning from a five-month wrist injury, is in the top half of the men's draw alongside four-time US Open winner Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic.

Alcaraz will begin his tournament against Roman Safiullin and may face Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, with a potential semi-final clash against Djokovic, Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, or Brandon Nakashima.

Djokovic, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, will start against Argentine Mariano Navone, followed by a second-round matchup against either Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini. Top seed Alexander Zverev, who claimed his first Grand Slam at the French Open this year, begins with Lorenzo Sonego and could face either Lorenzo Musetti or Alex de Minaur in the later rounds, with possible clashes against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semis and Alcaraz in the final.

On the women's side, top seed Sabalenka faces Colombian Camila Osorio in her opening match and could encounter Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals and Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, who won her last two tune-up events. Sabalenka's journey might also include second-round matches against Renata Zarazua, Barbora Krejcikova, and Diana Shnaider, with potential final clashes against Elena Rybakina if the draw aligns with the seedings.

Fourth-seeded former US Open winner Coco Gauff, who recently won in Cincinnati, is placed in the bottom half of the draw and could face Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals.