Reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will begin his quest for a second consecutive title against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer at this year’s tournament.
The draws for the final Grand Slam of 2023 took place behind closed doors on Thursday afternoon. Alcaraz faces the world No.78 in what will be their first meeting on the Tour. Koepfer, who reached the fourth round of the tournament back in 2019, has reached the semi-finals of two ATP Tour events and has won two titles on the lower-level Challenger Tour so far this season.
In his projected path, the top seed will face either Guido Pella or Lloyd Harris in the second round followed by 26th seed Dan Evans. In the last 16 another Brit in the shape of Cameron Norrie is projected to play him. Alcaraz is seeking to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to defend a title at the US Open.
On the opposite side of the draw, 23-time major champion Novak Djokovic opens up against Alexandre Muller who will be making his main draw debut at the age of 26. The Serbian is projected to play compatriot Laslo Djere in the third round who faces a tricky first round clash with Brandon Nakashima. Then it is potentially Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round.
Djokovic is a three-time champion at Flushing Meadows with his last triumph occurring in 2018. He was unable to play last year due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19. At the time foreign arrivals into America had to be vaccinated unless they qualified for a special exemption under an emergency health law that was lifted a couple of months ago.
Daniil Medvedev has been drawn in the same section as Alex de Minaur and will take on Hungary’s Attila in the first round. The Russian has won more matches at the US Open (23) than any other Grand Slam.
Stefanos Tsitsipas faces a stern test when he takes on fast-serving Milos Raonic who has already shown glimmers of his ability on the Tour following his latest comeback from injury. Other notable first round encounters include this year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini facing Ugo Humbert and former winner Dominic Thiem will lock horns with Alexander Bublik.
As for those seeking their first major trophy, sixth seed Jannik Sinner has been drawn in a tough section which includes Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. He will start against Yannick Hanfmann who is currently ranked 54th in the world but has only won two out of his last six matches played. Meanwhile, Denmark’s Holger Rune plays Roberto Carbellas Baena and Casper Ruud faces a qualifier.
The US Open main draw will begin on Monday. The full draw can be seen HERE.
Projected path
Fourth round
1.Carlos Alcaraz ESP vs 16.Cameron Norrie GBR
12.Alexander Zverev GER vs 6.Jannik Sinner ITA
3.Daniil Medvedev RUS vs 13.Alex de Minaur AUS
11.Karen khachanov RUS vs 8.Andrey Rublev RUS
5.Casper Ruud NOR vs 10.Frances Tiafoe USA
14.Tommy Paul USA vs 4.Holger Rune DEN
7.Stefanos Tsitsipas GRE vs 9.Taylor Fritz USA
15.Felix Auger-Aliassime CAN vs 2.Novak Djokovic SRB
Quarter-finals
1.Carlos Alcaraz ESP vs 6.Jannik Sinner ITA
3. Daniil Medvedev RUS vs 8.Andrey Rublev RUS
5.Casper Ruud NOR vs 4.Holger Rune DEN
7.Stefanos Tsitsipas GRE vs 2.Novak Djokovic SRB
Semi-finals
1.Carlos Alcaraz ESP vs 3.Daniil Medvedev RUS
4.Holger Rune DEN vs 2.Novak Djokovic SRB
