The U.S. Open men’s singles draw was unveiled on Thursday, signaling a balanced bracket that should fuel an epic two weeks at Flushing Meadows.
Top half
– Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Jack Draper, Alex de Minaur, Karen Khachanov, Tommy Paul, and Andrey Rublev
Bottom half
– Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Holger Rune, and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev
Key notes and likely routes
– Sinner, who retired from his Cincinnati final against Alcaraz, practiced in New York on Thursday and is expected to be ready for the last major of the season. The world No. 2 from Italy is positioned to cruise through his section, though contenders like Draper, Musetti, and Paul have battled injuries this summer. A potential semifinal opponent could emerge from a quarter that also features Zverev, De Minaur, Khachanov, Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
– Djokovic sits in Fritz’s quarter, a solid spot for a 25th major. He opens against Learner Tien and could meet Alex Michelsen in the third round, with Tiafoe or Rune possible in the fourth round.
– Alcaraz and Shelton appear on a collision course for the quarterfinals. Their path isn’t guaranteed a straight shot, as Medvedev and Davidovich Fokina could clash in the third round, and the winner may face Alcaraz in the round of 16. Casper Ruud, who finished runner-up in mixed doubles with Swiatek, is a potential fourth-round opponent for Shelton.
First-round matches to watch
– Musetti vs. Mpetshi Perricard
– Francisco Cerundolo vs. Matteo Arnaldi
– Alexander Bublik vs. Marin Cilic
– Joao Fonseca vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
What to expect
– The draw presents a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars, with high-stakes matchups shaping a two-week narrative of resilience, breakthroughs, and potential upsets. The bottom half features Alcaraz and Djokovic in high-profile sequences, while Sinner’s section promises a possible clash with other top contenders as the tournament unfolds.
Summary
– The 2025 U.S. Open men’s singles lineup sets the stage for a dramatic fortnight, anchored by Djokovic, Alcaraz, and a mix of young talents and veterans ready to push for major glory against a challenging field.
If you’d like, I can add a short, reader-friendly recap or a tight preview focused on a few headline matchups and potential storylines for fans.