NEW YORK — The draw for the 2024 US Open has been made, setting the stage for two weeks of high drama and intrigue at Flushing Meadows. For British men's number one Jack Draper, the path through the first round appears fortuitous, but the road to surpassing his stunning 2023 semi-final run is fraught with potential pitfalls and blockbuster matchups from the very start.
Draper, who arrives in New York with a career-high ranking of number nine in the world, will begin his campaign against a qualifier or lucky loser, whose identity will be confirmed in the coming days. This offers the 22-year-old left-hander a valuable opportunity to play his way into the tournament, a luxury not afforded to some of his fellow top seeds.
A Minefield in the Men's Draw
While Draper’s opener seems manageable, the draw has not been kind to everyone. The men’s singles bracket is stacked with tantalizing first-round clashes that could see big names tumble out early. Defending champion Novak Djokovic, seeded second, faces a tricky test against the explosive and always-dangerous Aleksandar Kovacevic of the United States.
Perhaps the most brutal first-round assignment belongs to former world number one Andy Murray. The British veteran, who won his first major title here in 2012, has drawn the formidable Czech power-hitter, Tomas Machac. Machac defeated Murray in a grueling five-setter at the Miami Open earlier this year, a match that left the Scot physically drained. Murray acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating:
"It’s a tough draw, there’s no question about it. Tomas is a fantastic player, young, strong, and he plays aggressively. I’ll need to be at my very best from the first point if I want to have a chance. The US Open always brings out the best and the worst, and I’m ready for the battle."
Other notable men's first-round matches include:
- Carlos Alcaraz [3] vs. Borna Coric: A brutal test for the two-time major winner against a seasoned and resilient opponent.
- Jannik Sinner [1] vs. Daniel Altmaier: The top seed should navigate this, but Altmaier is known for his fighting spirit and grinding baseline game.
- Holger Rune [5] vs. Marcos Giron: The volatile Dane takes on a solid American competitor who will have crowd support.
Swiatek's Treacherous Path
In the women's draw, world number one Iga Swiatek faces a potentially treacherous route as she aims for a second US Open title. Her first opponent is the hard-hitting Australian, Daria Saville. While Swiatek is the heavy favorite, Saville’s flat, aggressive groundstrokes on a fast hard court can cause problems for anyone. Beyond the opener, the Pole’s quarter of the draw is loaded with talent, including:
- Jelena Ostapenko: A potential fourth-round opponent who holds a shocking 4-0 head-to-head record against Swiatek.
- Marketa Vondrousova: The reigning Wimbledon champion and Olympic silver medalist possesses the variety and lefty game to disrupt rhythm.
- Jessica Pegula [5]: The American home favorite could be a quarter-final opponent, and her consistent, deep hitting is a challenge for any player.
Swiatek remained philosophical about the challenge, telling reporters, "The draw is the draw. You can't control it. Every match at a Grand Slam is difficult, and you have to be ready from day one. I'm focusing on my preparation and my first match against Daria. That's all that matters right now."
British Hopes Beyond Draper
While Draper carries the weight of British expectation, his compatriots also face intriguing matches. Cameron Norrie, seeded 28th, will play Federico Coria of Argentina, a clay-court specialist who is less comfortable on the hard courts of New York. This represents a solid opportunity for Norrie to build momentum.
Dan Evans, however, has a far sterner test. He takes on 20th-seeded talent Ben Shelton in a match that promises fireworks. Shelton’s monstrous serve and go-for-broke style, amplified by a home crowd, will force Evans to employ all of his tactical guile and slice backhand mastery to survive. Katie Boulter, the British women's number one, opens against a qualifier and will be optimistic about making a deep run.
First-Round Matches to Watch Closely
Beyond the biggest names, the draw is ripe with popcorn first-round matches that could set the tone for the tournament:
- Stan Wawrinka vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry [31]: The 2016 champion's powerful game against the steady, grinding consistency of the Argentine seed.
- Caroline Wozniacki (WC) vs. Petra Kvitova: A dream clash between two former major champions and fan favorites.
- Emma Raducanu vs. Maria Sakkari [10]: A rematch of their epic 2021 semi-final, which launched Raducanu to the title. Can the Briton recreate the magic?
The Road to the Final
Projecting the later stages is a fool's errand at a Grand Slam, but the draw sets up some mouth-watering potential encounters. A Djokovic vs. Sinner semi-final would be a blockbuster rematch of their Wimbledon classic. In the bottom half, Draper could meet Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, a match that would pit Draper’s powerful serve and flat forehand against Alcaraz’s unparalleled speed and creativity.
On the women's side, all eyes are on a potential semi-final between Swiatek and American sensation Coco Gauff [4], who defeated the Pole on the way to her title in Cincinnati just weeks ago. Gauff’s path is also tricky, with a possible fourth-round meeting with the big-serving Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion here who is slowly returning to her formidable best.
The beauty of the US Open draw, however, is its inherent unpredictability. The fast courts, the electric—and sometimes chaotic—New York atmosphere, and the pressure of a final Grand Slam of the year create a petri dish for surprises. While the names at the top are the favorites, the fortnight is guaranteed to produce its share of drama, heartbreak, and the emergence of a new star.
As the qualifiers complete their journeys to secure a spot in the main draw, the final puzzle pieces will fall into place. For Jack Draper and every other player in the field, the talking is over. The draw has spoken, and now the real work begins under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.