Novak Djokovic’s absence from the US Open last year due to his vaccination status garnered much attention, and his return this year is one of the most anticipated storylines of the tournament. The Serbian tennis champion, who has an impressive record of winning three out of his 23 Grand Slam titles in New York, will face an unfamiliar opponent in Alexandre Muller from France in the first round. Muller, ranked 85th in the world, will be making his main-draw debut at Flushing Meadows. Despite his lack of experience, Muller should not be underestimated as he has faced tough opponents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in previous Grand Slam tournaments.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek and rising star Coco Gauff have been drawn into a possible quarterfinal matchup. Gauff, the No. 6 seed, recently clinched the Cincinnati title after defeating Swiatek in the tournament. This victory was particularly significant for Gauff, who had previously struggled against Swiatek, losing all 14 sets they had played against each other. The 19-year-old American has enjoyed success since her early exit at Wimbledon, winning 11 out of her last 12 matches. Nonetheless, Swiatek, a 22-year-old from Poland and the 2022 French Open winner, should not be discounted easily. Their potential clash promises to be an exciting battle between two young talents.
In a possible repeat of last year’s quarterfinal, top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz may face No. 6 seed Jannik Sinner once again. Their previous encounter at Flushing Meadows ended in a thrilling five-set victory for Alcaraz, culminating in a historic finish at 2:50 a.m., the latest in US Open history. Alcaraz, the 2022 men’s champion, has shown tremendous growth and talent, capturing the attention of tennis fans worldwide. Sinner, on the other hand, is a formidable opponent known for his powerful game and strategic play. If these two skilled players meet in the quarterfinals, it will undoubtedly be a match to remember.
Other Exciting Matchups and Potential Quarterfinals
Beyond the key storylines of Djokovic’s return and the potential Swiatek-Gauff clash, the US Open 2022 offers many exciting matchups and potential quarterfinals to look forward to. Daniil Medvedev, the defending champion from 2021, could meet No. 8 seed Andrey Rublev in the top half of the men’s draw. In the bottom half, fans may witness a showdown between the second-seeded Djokovic and No. 7 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, as well as a match between No. 4 seed Holger Rune and 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud.
In the women’s draw, No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari could face each other in the top half, while No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka might compete against 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur. The bottom half of the women’s draw presents an opportunity for No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula to take on No. 7 seed Caroline Garcia. Pegula, who has reached the quarterfinals of Grand Slam tournaments six times without achieving a victory, hopes to turn her fortunes around. Her first-round match against Camila Giorgi will be a crucial test.
The US Open also welcomes back some tennis veterans who required wild-card invitations to compete. Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion at the US Open, faces Spain’s Paula Badosa in the opening round. Despite her age of 43, Williams remains a formidable opponent on the court and is eager to make her mark in the tournament. Additionally, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who ended her three-year retirement, will meet a qualifier in her return to Grand Slam tennis. Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion and two-time runner-up at Flushing Meadows, may cross paths with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the second round.
A Premier Event to Look Forward to
The US Open 2022 promises to be an exhilarating tournament filled with captivating matchups and compelling storylines. Novak Djokovic’s return, the potential clash between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, and the possibility of a Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rematch are just a few of the highlights. Tennis enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the start of the final Grand Slam event of the season and the thrilling battles that will unfold on the courts of Flushing Meadows.
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