US Open 2026 Men's Draw Preview & Prediction | Alcaraz and Djokovic BRUTAL Draws

US Open 2026 Men's Draw Preview & Prediction — Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have been handed BRUTAL draws at Flushing Meadows. Full quarter-by-quarter breakdown, dark horses, and my predictions through to the champion.

The draw broke about as badly as it could for the two biggest names in the sport. Alcaraz and Djokovic have landed in the SAME HALF — meaning one of them is gone before the final — and both have minefields to cross just to get there.

Carlos Alcaraz returns to defend his title having not played a competitive singles match since a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in mid-April. His reward: a first round against Roman Safiullin, the man who beat him in straight sets at the 2023 Paris Masters, with Matteo Arnaldi possible in the third round, Alexander Bublik in the fourth, and a quarterfinal against one of the two most recent Masters 1000 champions — Montreal winner Ben Shelton or Cincinnati winner Arthur Fils. Spanish media have already called it a "death draw."

Novak Djokovic, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title with four US Open crowns already, opens against Mariano Navone and could then face Stan Wawrinka — playing his final Grand Slam — or Matteo Berrettini in the second round. Brandon Nakashima looms in the fourth round, former champion Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals. Survive all that and Alcaraz is waiting in a repeat of last year's semifinal.

The top half, meanwhile, has cracked wide open. With World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrawing with a right knee injury, Alexander Zverev inherits the top seeding — and the reigning French Open champion, the first player other than Sinner or Alcaraz to win a major since 2024, is projected to meet third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals. On paper, a far kinder route to the final.

Full analysis and my predicted champion below.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Why Alcaraz's section may be the hardest a defending champion has faced in years

- Whether a four-month layoff is fatal for a title defense

- Djokovic's realistic path and the chase for major No. 25

- Zverev's opportunity as top seed — and whether he takes it

- Full bracket predictions, round by round

💬 Who's your champion pick? Drop your bracket in the comments.

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⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP or the US Open.

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