Djokovic handed smooth path at U.S. Open
Serena could face former champion in third round
NEW YORK Top seed Novak Djokovic was handed a comfortable-looking draw on Thursday as he bids for a fourth U.S. Open title, but Serena Williams could face danger early on as the American prepares for another attempt to win a 24th major singles crown.
World No. 1 Djokovic will play Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur in his opening match at Flushing Meadows, which will be held without fans this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The earliest seed he could meet would be a possible third-round clash with No. 28 Jan-lennard Struff, who he beat easily at the Western & Southern Open in New York this week.
Dominic Thiem, seeded second in the absence of reigning champion Rafa Nadal, opens against Spaniard Jaume Munar.
Williams, seeded third, plays compatriot Kristie Ahn in Round 1 but a meeting with 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, seeded 26th, is likely in the third round.
Williams, bidding to win her home slam for a seventh time, is also chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title having lost her last four major finals, including the past two years in New York. Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, who is not in New York to defend her title, beat Williams in the 2019 final.
Serbia’s Djokovic, who tested positive for COVID-19 after an exhibition event he organized in Croatia this year, is seeking an 18th Grand Slam title which would leave him just one behind Nadal and two short of Roger Federer, who is out injured.
The highest seed he could face before the quarter-finals is No. 16 John Isner in the fourth round.
Djokovic has a perfect record this year, winning all 21 matches he has played.
Last year’s runner-up, Daniil Medvedev, is seeded third and plays Argentina’s Federico Delbonis in Round 1.
Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is up against Spain’s Albert Ramos-vinolas in the opening round but another young gun, fifth seed Alexander Zverev, has been handed a tough first hurdle with a matchup against big-serving Kevin Anderson, who reached the final in 2017 and the Wimbledon final in 2018.
Former champion Andy Murray, given a wild card as he continues to climb back from two hip surgeries, will face Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in his first Grand Slam singles match since the 2019 Australian Open.
With six of the women’s top 10 skipping the tournament, the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova is top seed and she begins her quest for her first Grand Slam title against Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
OSAKA REVERSES DECISION
Naomi Osaka has decided to play her semifinal at the Western & Southern Open in New York after previously saying she would withdraw from the match to protest against racial injustice, The Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Japanese player was originally scheduled to play her semifinal on Thursday but tournament organizers decided to postpone all semifinal matches to Friday.
“As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence. I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent,” Osaka said.
“However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday. They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement. I want to thank the WTA and the tournament for their support.”
Osaka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, will next play Belgian Elise Mertens in the final tune-up event ahead of the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 U.S. Open.
BRYAN BROTHERS RETIRE
Bob and Mike Bryan, the most successful men’s doubles team in the history of tennis, are bringing the curtain down on their 22-year professional careers days ahead of the U.S. Open, the site of their major debut in 1995, the ATP said on Thursday.
The Bryans, 42, captured a professional era record 119 titles together, including 16 Grand Slams, 39 ATP Masters 1000s and the ATP Finals title four times.