Gauff the nice American hope as Alcaraz and Djokovic renew rivalry in New York
T
he US Open begins on Monday with a nation hoping that Coco Gauff may win her first Grand Slam title and lightweight up girls’s tennis within the United States.
But in the case of the boys’s occasion, for all of the potential storylines, there may be one principal query. Will Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic get by way of their respective sides of the draw to arrange one other mouthwatering contest?
The two males is likely to be at both finish of their careers – at 36, Djokovic is giving Alcaraz 16 years – however between them, they’ve dominated the large occasions this yr, with Djokovic successful the Australian Open and French Open, whereas Alcaraz clinched his first Wimbledon title.
The method and sheer brilliance of their contests has had everybody on the sting of their seats however it’s not simply the standard of their tennis, it’s the truth that each time they meet, the matches maintain actual significance.
At Wimbledon, Alcaraz denied Djokovic what would have been the third leg of the coveted Grand Slam, all 4 majors in a single calendar yr, one thing no man has achieved since Rod Laver did it for a second time in 1969.
That might have signalled a altering of the guard, however Djokovic confirmed his resilience by beating the Spaniard within the Cincinnati last simply over per week in the past, defying wilting warmth in three hours, 49 minutes of brutality.
Djokovic goes for his twenty fourth Grand Slam title, which might equal the all-time file held by the Australian, Margaret Court, whereas Alcaraz is attempting to defend the title he received 12 months in the past and choose up slam title No 3.
For all of the risk posed by the likes of the 2021 champion, Daniil Medvedev, the younger upstarts, Italian Jannik Sinner and Dane Holger Rune, and the principle American hopes, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, it could be a shock if these two don’t make it by way of to the ultimate.
There can be one thing of a mutual appreciation society occurring, it appears. “He’s always pushing me to the limit. I think I do to him pretty much the same thing,” Djokovic mentioned. Alcaraz described Djokovic as “one of the greatest of all time from our sport. No doubts about it. Everything he does in the game is unbelievable.”
Back on the US Open after lacking final yr’s occasion because of the Covid journey ban on unvaccinated non-citizens, Djokovic has some extent to show however Alcaraz has the type of temperament that means he received’t be ruffled by something or anybody.
Djokovic beat Alcaraz in Cincinnati to enact some revenge from the Wimbledon last
/ Getty Images“It’s his maturity, you forget how young he is,” Britain’s Dan Evans mentioned right here. “His inner circle seems to be good and he really listens. I think you can hear that now when (Juan Carlos) Ferrero talks on the court. You can hear it on the microphones. He really takes it in, it’s impressive.”
All 4 British males, Andy Murray, Cam Norrie, Evans and Jack Draper, start their campaigns on Tuesday. Draper confirmed his health on Sunday after current shoulder bother whereas Murray can be absolutely match after a current minor stomach harm.
Eleven years on from his victory right here, when he received his first slam title, Murray is hoping for a giant run, although his draw is way from simple. The 36-year-old opens towards Frenchman Corentin Moutet, however then might play Grigor Dimitrov and if will get previous the Bulgarian, he might face the German, Alexander Zverev.
Three British girls are in the principle draw, Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage by rating whereas Lily Miyazaki received by way of qualifying. Miyazaki performs Monday whereas Boulter and Burrage start on Tuesday.
Iga Swiatek is the favorite to defend her title and win her fifth Grand Slam in all, however there are threats throughout, notably from Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, and final yr’s Wimbledon winner, Elena Rybakina.
But it’s Gauff who can have the gang on her aspect and all eyes upon her. The 19-year-old beat Swiatek on the best way to the title in Cincinnati simply over per week in the past and with Brad Gilbert, the previous coach of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, in her camp, she has US Open-winning experience on her aspect.