US Open Draw: Djokovic Vs Alcaraz Final?

DEFENDING champion Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz wound up on opposite sides of the US Open bracket in Thursday's draw, meaning they could meet in another big final after Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.

For that to happen, the No.3-seeded Alcaraz might first have to get through a semifinal against No 1 Jannik Sinner, whose doping case came to light this week. Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was cleared after it was determined the use was unintentional because the banned substance entered his system via a massage from his trainer.

Home favourite Coco Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam title last year in New York, is seeded No. 3 and opens against Varvara Gracheva of France.

Gauff and No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who just won the Cincinnati Masters, could meet in the semifinals after playing for the trophy in the 2023 final.

No 1 seed and Paris Olympics women's singles bronze medalist Iga Swiatek would likely face Australia's Daria Saville in the second round. The U.S.