The 2026 US Open draw has set up a fascinating fortnight in New York, with the men’s singles field opening up considerably following Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal. The world No.1 pulled out due to a right-knee injury, removing one of the biggest favourites from the tournament.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns to Flushing Meadows as the No.2 seed after a four-month absence caused by a wrist injury. Alexander Zverev is the top seed, while Novak Djokovic is seeded fourth and arrives with a record 25th Grand Slam title firmly in his sights.
The draw has also created the possibility of another major Alcaraz-Djokovic showdown, with the two stars placed in the same half and therefore potentially meeting in the semi-finals. With Sinner missing, that prospect becomes one of the biggest storylines of the tournament.
SINNER’S ABSENCE OPENS UP TITLE RACE
Alcaraz begins his title defence against Roman Safiullin, with the Spaniard projected to face Jaime Faria in the second round and Matteo Arnaldi in the third. A potential fourth-round meeting with Alexander Bublik or Tommy Paul could then await him.
Djokovic, meanwhile, will be looking to conserve energy during the early rounds as he targets a fifth US Open title. At 39, the Serbian knows the physical demands of New York could be significant, particularly given the heat and humidity. He will face Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round.
Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Felix Auger-Aliassime are among those who could benefit from Sinner’s absence. The projected quarter-final picture makes the draw particularly intriguing, with several potential blockbuster clashes before the semi-final stage.
The women’s draw presents its own set of intriguing possibilities. Aryna Sabalenka enters as the top seed and defending champion, chasing a third consecutive US Open title. She begins her campaign against Camila Osorio, while second seed Elena Rybakina faces wildcard Thea Frodin. Third seed Jessica Pegula starts against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, while fourth seed Coco Gauff takes on Viktoriya Golubic.
SABALENKA FACES A LOADED WOMEN’S FIELD
Sabalenka’s quest for a hat-trick will not be straightforward, with her recent form raising questions ahead of her title defence.
Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, remains one of the biggest threats to Sabalenka, while Gauff arrives with confidence after winning Cincinnati. Iga Swiatek, seeded eighth, also heads into New York in strong form after winning Toronto and reaching the Cincinnati semi-finals.
Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Linda Noskova, Amanda Anisimova, Naomi Osaka and Karolina Muchova further strengthen a women’s field in which several players have realistic title ambitions.
With Alcaraz and Djokovic potentially on a semi-final collision course, Sinner absent and Sabalenka attempting to make history, the 2026 US Open draw has provided plenty of intrigue even before the main draw gets underway.
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