Alcaraz Returns to the Big Stage

The 2026 US Open draw has been made at Flushing Meadows, and the storylines are enormous. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who has not played a singles match since April at the Barcelona Open due to inflammation in his right wrist, will begin his title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin. The 29-year-old Safiullin is a dangerous opponent: he carries a heavy serve and attacking groundstrokes, and he reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last month. The head-to-head between the two stands at one win apiece, making this opener genuinely unpredictable.

Alcaraz's return is complicated by the format. Playing five-set matches in the New York heat represents a significant physical step up from his recent appearance in the US Open mixed doubles exhibition, where he wore a compression sleeve and visibly held back on his serve. With world number one Jannik Sinner absent due to a knee injury, many still consider Alcaraz the favourite, but the road ahead is steep. A potential fourth-round date with Alexander Bublik or Tommy Paul, a quarter-final against Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton, and a possible semi-final with Novak Djokovic make this one of the toughest projected paths in recent memory.

The Rest of the Draw Has Plenty of Drama

Djokovic, seeded fourth and hunting a record 25th Grand Slam title, opens against Argentina's Mariano Navone. His second round could bring a farewell clash with retiring Stan Wawrinka, before a projected collision with Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

On the women's side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka has endured a difficult stretch of form, losing to several lower-ranked opponents in recent months. She opens against Camila Osorio but faces Diana Shnaider as a potential fourth-round threat. Second seed Iga Swiatek, buoyed by a recent title run in Toronto, enters as a serious contender. Meanwhile, British hope Arthur Fery drew a tough opening assignment against 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who is himself returning from injury.

TennisDraw users have been closely tracking Alcaraz's projected bracket path as one of the most debated predictions heading into this year's tournament.