Carlos Alcaraz and Jasmine Paolini have contested multiple Grand Slam finals this year and will look to carry the good form into the US Open. The season’s final Slam gets underway in just a few days.
With the US Open draw being released on Thursday, the dust has finally settled on the field. Both Alcaraz and Paolini find themselves amid a stacked field.
But not everyone has the same sort of draw. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers heading into the US Open based solely on the draw.
Loser – Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine Paolini has landed in what can easily be described as the toughest section of the draw. And given the current depth of the women’s game, that is saying something.
The Italian, who has herself made the finals at the last two Grand Slams, opens her campaign against former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. Her nightmare continues into the next round, as a former World No. 1 and former finalist awaits in the form of Karolina Pliskova.
Things do not get any easier for Paolini as she may run into an in-form Yulia Putintseva in third round, with more Grand Slam pedigree awaiting in the form of either Jelena Ostapenko or Naomi Osaka next.
Winner- Last year’s US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev has also been handed a relatively simple draw, with the former champion opening his campaign against Dusan Lajovic.
The Russian will be defending his finals showing from last year and luckily for him, winnable matches in the form of Fabian Marozsan and Flavio Cobolli land him a spot in the fourth round.
The first real test could come Medvedev’s way in the fourth round against Stefanos Tsitsipas, but given the Greek player’s recent form, Medvedev will fancy his chances.
Loser – Carlos Alcaraz
Another former champion, Carlos Alcaraz, has not been as lucky with the draw. While the third seed opens against a qualifier, he could find himself being tested by Denis Shapovalov in the second round.
Talented youngsters Jack Draper and Sebastian Korda further crowd the section. The Brit recently lifted his maiden Tour title in Stuttgart and is sitting at a career-high ranking of No. 25. Korda’s dynamic game, meanwhile, is an evergreen threat on the hardcourts.
The other big seeds in his quarter, Alex De Minaur and Hubert Hurkacz, have also had strong seasons and could spell trouble.
Loser – Zheng Qinwen
No player would want to see their name against Amanda Anisimova right off the bat, especially a few weeks after the American just made the Canadian Open final.
Unfortunately for Zheng Qiwnen, the opening round will require her to get past the big-hitting youngster. If the Chinese were to come through that encounter, the likes of teen sensation Erika Andreeva, Australian Open semifinalist Dayana Yastremska and Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic await in the next three rounds.
While she will not be thinking too far ahead, a rematch from the Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka is also on the cards in the quarterfinals.
Winner – Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina was beaten by Leylah Fernandez in her Cincinnati opener. Luckily for her, the US Open draw will allow her some time to find her footing.
The Kazakh opens against a qualifier and will take on another or a returning Saisai Zheng next. Only Caroline Wozniacki and Caroline Garcia, neither of whom have played at their best of late, stand in her path to the second week.
In the fourth round, Rybakina may face resistance from Anna Kalinskaya, but it remains a winnable encounter.
Winner – Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz too will have some time to play himself into form, given that he takes on a relative greenhorn, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, in the opener.
While Matteo Berrettini may not be an ideal second-round opponent, the Italian has been out of practice. Ugo Humbert and Casper Ruud are not the most intimidating of seeds, making life easier for the American.
Fritz could use the early rounds to shed any possible nerves and fine-tune his game before running into the big tests.