Alcaraz and Djokovic Set for Potential Showdown at the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic appear on a collision course for the 2025 US Open as the tournament draws were revealed on Thursday. The two tennis titans could face off in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a highly anticipated encounter at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz, the Spanish sensation, starts his campaign against American big server Reilly Opelka in the opening round. The 2022 US Open champion has a challenging path ahead, as he could potentially meet world number one Jannik Sinner in the final if he advances through the draw. Alcaraz is in a position to reclaim the top ranking, depending on his performance over the next fortnight.
Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, will begin his quest against American Learner Tien. The Serbian star holds a slight edge in their head-to-head record, leading Alcaraz 5-3, including a victory over the Spaniard in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year. However, Djokovic’s form heading into this tournament remains uncertain, as he has not played since his semi-final run at Wimbledon last month.
Meanwhile, top seed Sinner will kick off his title defense against Czech player Vit Kopriva. The Italian, who retired in the first set of his recent Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz, could face Britain’s Jack Draper in the quarter-finals.
In the women’s singles draw, world number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will start her title defense against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova. Second seed Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is on the opposite side of the draw and will begin her bid for a seventh Grand Slam title against Colombia’s Emiliana Arango. A possible semi-final matchup between Swiatek and 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff looms, as Gauff is set to face Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in her opener.
Additionally, 45-year-old tennis icon Venus Williams received a wild card entry, marking her potential farewell appearance at the US Open. Williams, who first reached the US Open final as a 17-year-old in 1997, will face 11th seed Karolina Muchova in a challenging first-round encounter.
