Alcaraz US Open Draw: Same Half as Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic landed in the same half of the US Open men's draw on Thursday, setting up a possible semifinal if both get there. BBC Sport said the second-seeded Alcaraz opens his title defense against Roman Safiullin. That is his first competitive singles match since April 13 at the Barcelona Open, after more than four months out with inflammation in his right wrist. The main draw starts Sunday, Aug. 30. The men's final is Sept. 13.

Alcaraz, 23, is a seven-time major champion and the defending US Open winner. He missed the French Open and Wimbledon. BBC Sport said the wrist issue did not require surgery. He eased back this week in mixed doubles with Serena Williams, wearing a compression sleeve on the right arm, and BBC Sport said he did not look totally convincing in that exhibition-style event. Jannik Sinner, his usual rival at the top, is out with a knee injury, which is why Alexander Zverev is the No. 1 seed.

Who did Carlos Alcaraz draw at the US Open?

Safiullin in round one. The 29-year-old Russian reached the Wimbledon fourth round last month and lost there to Djokovic, BBC Sport wrote. He has a heavy serve and attacking groundstrokes, and he is not a soft opener for a player who has not played a five-set singles match since April. If Alcaraz gets through and the seeds hold, BBC Sport listed Tommy Paul or Alexander Bublik as possible fourth-round names, then Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton in the quarters, then Djokovic in the semis.

The Big Lead, looking at the same draw, had Alcaraz vs Shelton and Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev as the seeded quarterfinals on that side. Zverev would meet Alex de Minaur if those seeds hold. Felix Auger-Aliassime would meet Flavio Cobolli. Those are bracket paths, not results. Thursday only locked the first-round names and the half.

What the Alcaraz-Djokovic US Open draw means

Djokovic, the fourth seed, starts against Mariano Navone of Argentina, BBC Sport wrote. A win there could mean Matteo Berrettini or Stan Wawrinka in the second round. Wawrinka has a late wildcard for the last major of his career. Djokovic is chasing a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title. Alcaraz is chasing a first tournament back that does not end in the first week. They are 5-5 in official meetings, including Alcaraz's Australian Open final win this year, a series ATP Tour previewed when the draw posted.

Mixed doubles already had its ending. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik won the title earlier Thursday, and Serena and Alcaraz were out in the quarters. Singles is the search now: Alcaraz US Open draw, Alcaraz vs Safiullin, Djokovic US Open draw. Sunday is when the answers start. Until then, the fact is the half, the opener, and a wrist that has not played a five-set match since spring.

Alcaraz US Open draw FAQ

Who does Carlos Alcaraz play in US Open round one? Roman Safiullin. BBC Sport reported the matchup when the draw was made Thursday.

Are Alcaraz and Djokovic in the same half? Yes. They would meet in the semifinals if both win their quarters.

When does the US Open men's singles start? Sunday, Aug. 30. The men's final is Sunday, Sept. 13.