US Open preview: Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz final seems destined

Novak Djokovic avenged his Wimbledon loss to Carlos Alcaraz, saving a match point to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati. The match was reported to be the longest three-set match in ATP tour history at almost four hours long. For long periods, the level of play was simply out of this world and several levels above those of the next-best players.

Carlos Alcaraz is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion and is the current world number one. Novak Djokovic currently holds the other two majors and has won more singles majors than any male player in the history of the sport.

In this battle of youth versus experience, the edge will go to Novak Djokovic. Regardless of ranking, his resume means that he should be the favorite to win any match and tournament he plays.

Can anyone stop the Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic showdown at the US Open?

Fan favorites Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios will not be competing at the US Open. In their absence, Daniil Medvedev is most likely to prevent another Alcaraz and Djokovic showdown. Medvedev won the US Open over Djokovic in 2021, preventing Djokovic from winning the calendar slam. Medvedev has also reached three other major finals on his favored hardcourts.

Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner enters the US Open in good form. Sinner won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Canada. Last year’s runner up Casper Ruud should also be in contention. Similar to Ons Jabeur, Ruud has made three major finals in the last two years but has yet to win his maiden major.

As far as American hopes go, there are three American men in the world top 15: Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul. Fritz likely enters with the best chance, after a tournament win in Atlanta and good results in Washington DC and Cincinnati.