With Sinner out, Alcaraz just back and Sabalenka struggling, the US Open feels truly open again
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner made last year’s U.S. Open feel like two weeks of killing time until the inevitable. They had separated themselves from everyone else in men’s tennis…
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning U.S. Open champion from Belarus, suffered a fourth-round defeat at Wimbledon, casting doubt on her ability to retain her No. 1 ranking. This situation, combined with Carlos Alcaraz's return from a four-month absence and Novak Djokovic potentially showing signs of aging, has breathed new life into the already competitive U.S. Open field.
With Alcaraz and Djokovic set to face off in the men's final, and Jessica Pegula, Sabalenka's successor in the rankings, also vying for the title, the tournament appears more wide-open than ever. American players, including Frances Tiafoe, acknowledge the challenge but emphasize that the path to victory remains uncertain. The first matches commence on Sunday, with Jessica Pegula, Djokovic, and Venus Williams all making their debuts in the Arthur Ashe Stadium's opening acts.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
