ROLAND-GARROS
17 May - 6 June 2027
The bright lights, the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps is here. That’s right, it’s time for the 2026 US Open over in New York. The singles draws took place on Thursday as fans, media and players could all plot possible paths to glory. Will it be Alcaraz and Sabalenka engraved on the trophies once again?
US Open 2026 – Draw: all eyes on the bottom half
The US Open draw is out with the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year kick-starting on Sunday.
Men's draw: Alcaraz with Djokovic
Potential paths for the favourites 🏆
Unfortunately, the world No.1 Jannik Sinner is absent due to injury, however, a certain Carlos Alcaraz is well and truly back. The reigning champion has been sidelined from competitive action since April due to a wrist injury. Can he go back-to-back with a third US Open crown, despite no matches under his belt?
The Spaniard headlines with bottom half of the draw, opening his title defence against the firepower of world No.98 Roman Safiullin. In form Jaime Faria and No.15 seed Alexander Bublik represent early hurdles, before Ben Shelton (8) is slotted to finish that quarter of the draw. On paper it’s Alcaraz versus Novak Djokovic (4) in the semi-finals and what a prospect under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In fact, the bottom half includes five US Open champions in the shape of Alcaraz (2022, 2025), Marin Cilic (2014), Djokovic (2011, 2015, 2018, 2023), Daniil Medvedev (2021) and Stan Wawrinka (2016). ‘Stan The Man’ received a late wild card and joins French stalwart Gaël Monfils in competing in a Grand Slam for the very last time. Well played gentlemen!
Regarding Djokovic, the Serbian (with record Major No.25 the target once again) opens facing world No.48 Mariano Navone. Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini would await in the second round for a blockbuster bout. American Brandon Nakashima has been totting up plenty of wins as a Montreal Masters finalist and could derail Djokovic in the Last 16. 2021 (Medvedev) and 2023 (Djokovic) final rematches could then be on the cards should both former world No.1s book an intriguing Elite 8 spot.
Top seed and Roland-Garros champion Alexander Zverev must overcome the energetic Italian Lorenzo Sonego to get the ball rolling within the first quarter including Lorenzo Musetti, the Spanish teenage sensation Rafael Jodar, as well as No.6 seed Alex De Minaur.
What about No.3 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime in the second quarter? The Canadian must navigate a talent rich segment involving Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien and Roland-Garros runner-up Flavio Cobolli.
Projected quarter-finals by seeding ⚔️
Alexander Zverev (1) v Alex de Minaur (6)
Félix Auger-Aliassime (3) v Flavio Cobolli (5)
Daniil Medvedev (7) v Novak Djokovic (4)
Ben Shelton (8) v Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Popcorn first rounds 🍿
Alexander Zverev (1) v Lorenzo Sonego
Arthur Fery v Lorenzo Musetti (13)
Marin Cilic v Andrey Rublev (23)
Matteo Berrettini v Stan Wawrinka
Stefanos Tsitsipas v Arthur Fils (10)
Roman Safiullin vs Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Women's draw: Queen’s square at the bottom
Potential paths for the favourites 🏆
There has been plenty of spotlight on Aryna Sabalenka’s return to Flushing Meadows. Since winning the ‘Sunshine Double’ in March, the reigning champion has suffered a handful of head-turning defeats, slightly out of character. Can the world No.1 bounce back? Targeting a US Open ‘three-peat,’ Sabalenka tops the draw in a first encounter with Colombian Camila Osorio.
Two-time major winner Barbora Krejcikova’s extensive experience is plotted for the third round and in the latter stages, Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and No.3 seed Jessica Pegula represent the nearest rivals.
The likes of RG 2023 runner-up Karolina Muchova and Ukrainian duo Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk could easily rip up the draw in the top half too.
No.2 seed Elena Rybakina spearheads the bottom half of the women’s roster and would be on course for a scorching fourth round battle with 2018/2020 champion Naomi Osaka. That fourth quarter has major winning pedigree in the shape of Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys too.
Cincinnati WTA 1000 champion Coco Gauff landed in the third quarter and has quite the gauntlet to run. World No.52 Zeynep Sonmez is a hard draw for anyone, then in close proximity are former world No.2 Paula Badosa, in-form Sara Bejlek, fellow American Iva Jovic and Filipino trailblazer Alex Eala.
Should Gauff transfer her supreme Cincinnati form to NYC, the 2023 champion would likely duel with either Roland-Garros 2026 winner Mirra Andreeva or last year’s US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals.
Projected quarter-finals by seeding ⚔️
Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Linda Noskova (6)
Jessica Pegula (3) v Karolina Muchova (7)
Mirra Andreeva (5) v Coco Gauff (4)
Iga Swiatek (8) v Elena Rybakina (2)
Popcorn first rounds 🍿
Maja Chwalinska (20) v Taylor Townsend
Sloane Stephens v Clara Tauson
Venus Williams v Sofia Kenin
Emma Navarro (26) v Lois Boisson
Mirra Andreeva (5) v Janice Tjen
Zeynep Sonmez v Coco Gauff (4)