US Open: The most recent chapter in Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s epic rivalry

61



CNN
 — 

The stage is ready for one more epic showdown between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on the US Open which begins on Monday.

The pair have thrilled tennis followers this season with two particular matches, first within the Wimbledon closing after which most lately on the Cincinnati Open.

Djokovic described final Sunday’s Cincinnati Open closing victory over Alcaraz as “one of many hardest matches” of his profession and the three-set, practically four-hour conflict will certainly go down as one in all tennis’ all-time nice encounters.

World No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, Alcaraz and Djokovic performed some otherworldly tennis in Cincinnati as the game’s burgeoning rivalry continues to enthrall followers within the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

In reality, it’s nearly unimaginable to see a US Open winner past Alcaraz, the defending champion, and Djokovic with the pair merely in a league of their very own in comparison with the remainder of the draw.

A mere 20 factors separate Alcaraz from Djokovic on the high of the world rankings, earlier than a steep drop off of greater than 3,500 factors to Daniil Medvedev at No. 3.

Males’s tennis has been reliant on the epic rivalries between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic over time and whereas it might be hyperbole to say Alcaraz’s emergence has saved the game, the Spaniard’s rise definitely makes the transition into the subsequent period considerably smoother.

The 20-year-old has loved a exceptional season in 2023, successful six titles that embrace Wimbledon – his second grand slam – and two Masters 1000 occasions.

After his beautiful five-set win over Djokovic within the Wimbledon closing, Alcaraz’s kind briefly abandoned him in a shock quarterfinal defeat to Tommy Paul on the Canadian Open however he bounced again brilliantly to play a few of his finest tennis of the season in his run to the ultimate in Cincinnati.

Alcaraz enters the event as the highest seed, and faces a attainable quarterfinal rematch with Jannik Sinner, a yr after their epic five-set traditional which noticed Alcaraz win at 2.50 a.m. setting a file for the most recent end for a match on the US Open.

He’s additionally in the identical aspect of the draw as third seed Medvedev who he may face within the semifinals.

“What Alcaraz has finished within the final yr is unbelievable,” seven-time grand slam champion John McEnroe informed Eurosport. “[He’s] the very best I’ve ever seen at this age.

“Novak is unbelievable how good he nonetheless is, to see the all-time nice play towards the younger celebrity is unbelievable. I’d like to see that match performed once more.

“The final couple of matches have been shut and unbelievable matches, let’s hope it lasts.”

Djokovic’s win over Alcaraz in Cincinnati was his fourth title of the yr, together with victories on the Australian Open and French Open to take his grand slam tally to 23.

Carlos Alcaraz came out on top in a five-set epic at Wimbledon.

The Serb is in the US for the primary time since 2021 as a result of his unvaccinated standing however made up for misplaced time by instantly returning to successful methods in Cincinnati.

Djokovic faces Frenchman Alexandre Muller within the first spherical and is in the identical quarter of the draw as Stefanos Tsitsipas.

He might now be 36 years of age and firmly within the twilight of his profession however Djokovic remains to be able to persistently producing his finest tennis, which means followers possible have a lot extra match ups to look ahead to between the world’s two finest gamers.

As world No. Three and a former US Open champion, Russia’s Medvedev is the almost certainly of the chasing pack to trigger an upset at Flushing Meadows.

The 27-year-old has confronted massively contrasting fortunes within the first and second half the season. Medvedev gained 5 ATP Tour titles within the first 5 months of 2023, together with two Masters 1000 tournaments and a run of three consecutive event wins within the month of February.

Nonetheless, his kind has largely tailed off since successful his final title towards Holger Rune on the Rome Masters.

Quickly after that event, Medvedev suffered a shock first-round defeat to Thiago Seyboth Wild on the French Open and – other than a profession finest semifinal look at Wimbledon – hasn’t gained greater than two matches at a event since.

Medvedev is doubtless a contender on the US Open, however provided that he can recapture his early season kind.

Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock defeat to Thiago Seyboth Wild at the French Open.

After reaching the ultimate in 2022, Capser Ruud – who has now misplaced on all three of his grand slam finals appearances – has a lot to play for as he hopes to defend the rankings factors earned throughout final yr’s run.

The world No. 5 has additionally endured an up and down season, the height of which got here throughout a four-week window in Could and June when he reached the semifinals of the Rome Masters after which the ultimate of the French Open.

Now with elevated expertise in grand slam finals, maybe the 2023 US Open will lastly be the event Ruud banishes his grand slam closing demons.

supply hyperlink