# US Open Draw Announced: Carlos Alcaraz Begins Fitness Test Against Roman Safiullin as Novak Djokovic Chases 25th Grand Slam

> The US Open singles draw sets up an intense tournament: defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns from a four-month wrist injury against Roman Safiullin, Novak Djokovic launches his pursuit of a 25th major title, and Arthur Fery leads a hit-and-miss British contingent.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Tennis · **Published:** 2026-08-27 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/us-open-draw-ghoshita-carlos-alcaraz-ka-samana-roman-safiullin-se-hoga-novak-djokovic-aura-arthur-fery-ke-lie-bhi-kathina-chunauti-23319 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** US Open, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Grand Slam, Arthur Fery, Aryna Sabalenka

The main singles draws for the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York have been unveiled, establishing an intrigue-filled path for the final Grand Slam of the season. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, returning to competitive tennis after a four-month hiatus caused by a right wrist injury, will launch his title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Serbian legend Novak Djokovic begins his pursuit of a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title against Argentina's Mariano Navone. The tournament also presents a stern test for the British contingent, led by Arthur Fery following injury-enforced withdrawals of star players Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu.

## Alcaraz Faces Immediate Fitness Benchmark Under Second Seeding
Reigning US Open men's champion Carlos Alcaraz has not featured in a competitive singles fixture since 13 April at the Barcelona Open. The 2024 New York champion was sidelined for over four months due to persistent inflammation in his right playing wrist. Despite his prolonged period of inactivity, the Spaniard enters Flushing Meadows as the second seed. Top seeding in the men's draw belongs to Germany's Alexander Zverev, who opens his campaign against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. For Alcaraz, the opening-round clash against Roman Safiullin represents an immediate, rigorous evaluation of his physical recovery and match sharpness.

## Djokovic's Milestone Pursuit and Hazardous Potential Second Round
Novak Djokovic's quest for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles trophy begins against Mariano Navone of Argentina. Should the 39-year-old Serb successfully navigate his opening contest, a treacherous second-round fixture awaits. Djokovic would face either Italy's Matteo Berrettini or Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka. Berrettini lost to Djokovic in the 2021 Wimbledon final, while three-time major champion Wawrinka was granted a late wildcard for what will mark the definitive Grand Slam tournament of his illustrious career.

## Arthur Fery Leads British Hopes Amid Key Absences
British 24-year-old Arthur Fery achieved a career-defining breakthrough at Wimbledon in July by reaching the semi-finals at the All England Club. That impressive run elevated Fery into the world's top 40 for the first time and guaranteed his main-draw debut at Flushing Meadows. However, ranked 37th globally, Fery narrowly missed out on a seeded position. As a consequence, he received a demanding draw against Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, a quarter-finalist at the tournament in 2025.

Considerable focus will shift onto Fery as he heads the British singles challenge in the absence of injured compatriots. Jack Draper, a semi-finalist in New York in 2024, withdrew last week owing to a long-standing arm injury. Meanwhile, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu remains sidelined with a shin fracture that previously forced her to miss Wimbledon.

## Norrie, Choinski, and British Main Draw Matchups
Cameron Norrie secured the 29th seeding in the men's draw and will take on France's Luca van Assche in his opening encounter. Jan Choinski, who cracked the world's top 100 for the first time in June at the age of 30, earned direct entry into a Grand Slam outside Wimbledon for the first time. Choinski has been drawn against Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp, famously remembered for eliminating Alcaraz in the second round of the 2024 US Open.

## Sabalenka Defends Title as Boulter Represents British Women
In the women's singles draw, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka begins her title defence against Colombia's Camila Osorio. 30-year-old Katie Boulter stands as the sole British woman guaranteed a main-draw berth through ranking, opening against American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee, ranked 143rd globally. Victory for Boulter could set up a high-profile second-round meeting with Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova. Meanwhile, six additional Britons—Francesca Jones, Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart, and Harry Wendelken—compete in final qualifying matches on Thursday to secure places in the main draw.

## What this means for you
The unveiling of the US Open draw provides tennis enthusiasts and sports followers with essential clarity on match schedules and broadcast timings.

- **For Tennis Fans Globally:** Spectators can track Carlos Alcaraz's return from a four-month wrist injury and Novak Djokovic's quest for a 25th Grand Slam. This determines broadcast schedules and streaming plans for the opening rounds.
- **For British Sports Followers:** With Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu absent due to injuries, UK fans can follow Arthur Fery and Cameron Norrie's tough openers. This impacts late-night match viewing schedules in the UK timezone.
- **For Fantasy Sports & Gaming Enthusiasts:** Fantasy tennis players must adjust roster selections based on player injury histories and draw difficulty. This information dictates optimal first-round lineup choices.
- **For Tournament Viewers:** Knowing potential second-round blockbusters like Djokovic vs Berrettini or Wawrinka allows viewers to highlight key session tickets and broadcast dates in advance.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who will Carlos Alcaraz play in the first round of the US Open?
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will face Russia's Roman Safiullin in his opening match.

### 2. Who is Novak Djokovic's first-round opponent at the US Open?
Novak Djokovic begins his campaign against Argentina's Mariano Navone.

### 3. Why has Carlos Alcaraz not played competitive tennis for four months?
Alcaraz was sidelined due to right wrist inflammation since his last match at the Barcelona Open on April 13.

### 4. Which top British tennis players are missing the US Open due to injuries?
Jack Draper withdrew due to a long-term arm injury, and 2021 champion Emma Raducanu is out with a shin fracture.

### 5. Who does Arthur Fery face in his US Open main draw debut?
24-year-old Arthur Fery faces Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the first round.

### 6. Who does defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka play first?
Aryna Sabalenka begins her title defence against Colombia's Camila Osorio.

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