The Serb who is going for the Grand Slam will face a qualifier. It will be much more difficult for Tsitsipas.
Novak Djokovic starts his hoped-for run on the “Grand Slam” in New York against a qualifier. The winner of the first three major tournaments in 2021 wants to succeed the currently injured defending champion Dominic Thiem and win the fourth title and become the first calendar Grand Slam winner since Steffi Graf (1988) and Rod Laver (1969).
The Greek French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas with old star Andy Murray (GBR) received a hammer lot, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev meets Sam Querrey (USA). Finally, the number two seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev opens like Tsitispas with the French Richard Gasquet against a veteran. Djokovic is the top favorite who could meet Zverev in the semifinals. The German, who lost to Thiem in five exciting final sets last year, Tsitsipas and Medwedew hope in the absence of Thiem and the also injured Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for their first major title.
Williams and Kenin are absent
For women, the first opponent of the Australian top favorite is Ashleigh Barty Wera Swonarewa from Russia. Defending champion Naomi Osaka plays against Marie Bouzkova (CZE). The women are missing Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin (both USA) due to corona disease.
Whether there will be no Austrians in the main competition of the US Open for the first time in years will be decided in the qualification. The injured Thiem and young dad Dennis Novak (renounced New York) are not part of the party.
The US Open will be staged again with spectators this year after the coronavirus pandemic.
