LONDON: Defending champion and world number one Carlos Alcaraz stands in the way of British success at the US Open, which starts in New York next week, reported PA Media/dpa.
Three of the four British men who have qualified automatically have been drawn in the same quarter as the Spaniard, who also claimed his first Wimbledon title over Novak Djokovic in July.
Alcaraz, who starts against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer, is seeded to face Dan Evans in round two and Cameron Norrie in round three.
Meanwhile, he could also face Andy Murray in the last eight if Murray, the 2012 champion, battles through a tough draw that could include Grigor Dimitrov in round two and sixth seed Jannik Sinner in round four.
The draw also raises the prospect of Alcaraz renewing his quarter-final rivalry with Sinner, one year on from their epic last-eight clash that lasted more than five hours and ended shortly before 3 am.
Second seed Novak Djokovic, who missed a calendar year grand slam by losing the 2021 final to Daniil Medvedev and is back after missing 2022 owing to US coronavirus vaccination regulations, opens against Alexandre Muller.
Djokovic will return to the top of the world rankings if he wins that match, regardless of how Alcaraz fares at the tournament.
Reigning women’s champion Iga Swiatek starts against Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson and could face a quarter-final meeting with sixth seed Coco Gauff.
Gauff – who is likely to have to negotiate surging 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in round two – beat Switek for the first time in eight attempts in Cincinnati last week.
Caroline Wozniacki will face a qualifier as she makes her return after a three-year retirement and could meet former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in round two.
British number one Katie Boulter starts against Diane Parry of France and could meet another French player, seventh seed Caroline Garcia, in round two.
Boulter lost in the first round of her only previous main draw appearance in 2021 but is enjoying a fine season including a run to the third round of Wimbledon.
Jodie Burrage will make her US Open draw debut against Anna Blinkova, with a second-round meeting with second seed Aryna Sabalenka the likely prize. – BERNAMA-dpa
