US Open draw raises prospect of Sinner-Alcaraz rematch

AFP | New York

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

World number one Jannik Sinner has been placed in the same side of the draw as former champions Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev for next week’s US Open and will start his campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald. Second seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic, who beat Medvedev in last year’s final, is in the same half as German Alexander Zverev.

The draw raises the prospect of a possible semi-final clash between Sinner and Alcaraz who in 2022 produced an epic five-hour plus, late-night clash in the quarter-finals. Spaniard Alcaraz won that battle and went on to win his first US Open title. But to reach a rematch with Alcaraz, Italian Sinner may need to get past 2021 champion Medvedev in the quarter-finals.

In the women’s draw, world number two Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff have been drawn in the same half. World number one Iga Swiatek’s highest-ranked potential semi-final opponent is fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina.