The last great tennis party in the city most suitable for it. New York hosts the US Open 2024 starting this Monday, August 26th, the fourth Grand Slam of the season,
where Jannik Sinner arrives as the world number 1, Novak Djokovic will defend his crown from last year, and Carlos Alcaraz will seek to rediscover his best form.
Fate has provided an impressive draw, with real and potential great duels.
Show must go on. Few places elevate the art of tennis to a spectacle of fervent masses eager to enjoy like Flushing Meadows.
There are high expectations for this US Open 2024, full of mysteries to be solved, but where good tennis and excitement seem guaranteed.
Jannik Sinner arrives wrapped in a cosmic controversy which he will try to isolate himself from to discuss the presumable favoritism of Novak Djokovic,
the reigning champion, and of a Carlos Alcaraz aiming for his third consecutive Grand Slam title.
1st Quadrant
Potential rivals of Jannik Sinner: McDonald – Michelsen/Qualifier – Jarry/Wawrinka – Paul/Fils – Medvedev/Tsitsipas/Auger-Aliassime – Alcaraz/Hurkacz – Djokovic/Zverev
Potential rivals of Daniil Medvedev: Lajovic – Marozsan/Qualifier – Cobolli/Bergs/Kotov – Tsitsipas/Auger-Aliassime – Sinner – Alcaraz/Hurkacz – Djokovic/Zverev
It is not a conducive path for lapses or lack of attention at a mental level. Sinner will have to isolate himself from the media noise generated around him in recent days and perform at his best level from the start. Michelsen could be an important hurdle in the second round, as well as facing an inspired Jarry in the third round. In the round of 16, the obstacle of Tommy Paul seems challenging, while potentially clashing with Medvedev in the quarterfinals is not a pleasant prospect.
The Russian seems to be one of the great beneficiaries of the draw, something he needed as he does not arrive with his usual confidence at this tournament after a poor tour. Tsitsipas and Auger-Aliassime seem to be the only ones who can challenge his presence in the quarterfinals, where he will have to cross the Rubicon to once again aim for glory.
2nd Quadrant
Potential rivals of Carlos Alcaraz: Qualifier – Shapovalov/Botic – Draper/Zhang/Gaston – Korda/Tabilo/Machac – Hurkacz/De Miñaur – Sinner/Medvedev – Djokovic/Zverev
Potential rivals of Hubert Hurkacz: Qualifier – Lestienne/Thompson – Arnaldi/Safiullin – De Miñaur/Khachanov – Alcaraz – Sinner/Medvedev – Djokovic/Zverev
An unsettling path to the title lies ahead for Alcaraz, where even in the second round he could see hostilities arise. Shapovalov is a formidable opponent on a fast court, especially considering his recent return to form in the past few months. Draper has already defeated him this year and could be his opponent in the third round, although Zhang would also pose a challenge. His opponent in the round of 16 would emerge from a fierce battle with many contenders and unpredictable outcomes.
His hypothetical opponent in the quarterfinals would be Hurkacz, who is competing well despite the limitations posed by his miraculous recovery from the serious knee injury suffered at Wimbledon. The Pole does not seem to be a significant threat at the moment, but if he manages to win four matches before that, he should be taken seriously. De Miñaur and Khachanov are the top candidates to prevent Hubi’s progress.
3rd Quadrant
Potential rivals of Casper Ruud: Qualifier – Monfils/Qualifier – Bublik/Shang – Fritz/Humbert/Berrettini – Zverev/Rune – Djokovic/Rublev – Sinner/Alcaraz
Potential rivals of Alexander Zverev: Rusuvuuori – Muller/Walton – Cerúndolo/Etcheverry/Perricard – Rune/Musetti – Djokovic/Rublev – Sinner/Alcaraz
A tough start to the tournament lies ahead for Sascha, though things ease up later on. Only a fired-up Mpetschi-Perricard or any of the Argentinians capitalizing on a bad day for Zverev could jeopardize his arrival at the quarterfinals where Rune and Musetti are the prime contenders, but Carreño or even Opelka could slip in.
Expectations around Ruud are low, but the Norwegian has a knack for shattering pessimistic forecasts about him in Grand Slams, deserving a vote of confidence. Monfils and Bublik could cause his exit in the early rounds, while his round of 16 opponent could pose a significant challenge. This draw presents a great opportunity for Berrettini.
4th Quadrant
Potential rivals of Andrey Rublev: Seyboth-Wild – Eubanks/Rinderknech – Lehecka/Fucsovics – Dimitrov/Báez – Djokovic/Shelton – Zverev/Ruud – Sinner/Alcaraz
Potential rivals of Novak Djokovic: Qualifier – Djere/Struff – Popyrin/Pedro Martínez – Shelton/Tiafoe – Rublev/Dimitrov – Zverev/Ruud – Sinner/Alcaraz
The Serbian is yet to know the identity of his first opponent, but sees on his roadmap names that command a certain respect. Struff stands out, as well as Popyrin, a Masters 1000 champion this year who already caused him trouble in Melbourne. A matchup in the round of 16 against a local player, either Shelton or Tiafoe, would be a significant test for the greatest player of all time and his challenge to retain the title in New York.
As a possible opponent in the quarterfinals, he would face Rublev, a man not in his best moment who will have to be careful to avoid an upset, particularly against Seyboth-Wild, who pushed him to the limit earlier this year in Melbourne. Dimitrov may have a decent chance, even though he does not seem to be in the best form at the moment.
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Source: USA Today