cnn
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The stage is set for another epic showdown between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open starting Monday.
The pair have thrilled tennis fans this season with two special matches, first in the Wimbledon final and then, more recently, at the Cincinnati Open.
Djokovic described last Sunday's Cincinnati Open final victory over Alcaraz as “one of the most difficult matches” of his career and the three-set, nearly four-hour clash will surely go down in history as one of the great tennis encounters. all the times.
World No. 1 and 2 respectively, Alcaraz and Djokovic played otherworldly tennis in Cincinnati as the sport's growing rivalry continues to captivate fans in the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
In truth, it is almost impossible to see a US Open winner beyond Alcaraz, the defending champion, and Djokovic with both simply in a league of their own compared to the rest of the field.
Just 20 points separate Alcaraz from Djokovic at the top of the world rankings, before a sharp drop of more than 3,500 points to Daniil Medvedev in the No. 3 spot.
Men's tennis has depended on the epic rivalries between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic over the years and, while it may be hyperbole to say that the rise of Alcaraz has saved the sport, the Spaniard's rise certainly makes the transition to The next era will be much smoother.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable season in 2023, winning six titles including Wimbledon (his second Grand Slam) and two Masters 1000 events.
After his stunning five-set victory over Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz's form briefly deserted him in a shock quarter-final loss to Tommy Paul at the Canadian Open, but he recovered brilliantly to play his best tennis ever. season in their run to the finals in Cincinnati.
Alcaraz enters the tournament as the top seed and faces a potential quarterfinal rematch with Jannik Sinner, a year after their epic five-set classic in which Alcaraz won at 2:50 a.m. setting a record for the latest finish from a match at the US Open.
He is also on the same side of the draw as third seed Medvedev, who he could face in the semi-finals.
“What Alcaraz has done in the last year is incredible,” seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe told Eurosport. “[He’s] The best I have seen at this age.
“Novak is amazing how good he still is, seeing the all-time great play against the young superstar is incredible. I would love to see that game played again.
“The last few games have been close and incredible games, let's hope it lasts.”
Djokovic's victory over Alcaraz in Cincinnati was his fourth title of the year, including victories at the Australian Open and French Open to take his Grand Slam tally to 23.
The Serbian is in the United States for the first time since 2021 due to his unvaccinated status, but he made up for lost time by immediately returning to winning ways in Cincinnati.
Djokovic faces Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the first round and is in the same quarter of the draw as Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He may now be 36 years old and firmly in the twilight of his career, but Djokovic is still capable of consistently producing his best tennis, meaning fans will likely have many more matchups to look forward to between the two best players in the world.
As world No. 3 and former US Open champion, Russia's Medvedev is the most likely to cause an upset at Flushing Meadows.
The 27-year-old has faced very contrasting fortunes in the first and second half of the season. Medvedev won five ATP Tour titles in the first five months of 2023, including two Masters 1000 tournaments and a three-match tournament winning streak in the month of February.
However, his form has greatly declined since winning his last title against Holger Rune at the Rome Masters.
Shortly after that tournament, Medvedev suffered a shock first-round loss to Thiago Seyboth Wild at the French Open and, aside from a career-best semi-final appearance at Wimbledon, has not won more than two matches in a tournament since so.
Medvedev is certainly a contender at the US Open, but only if he can regain his early season form.
After reaching the final in 2022, Capser Ruud, who has now lost all three of his Grand Slam final appearances, has a lot at stake as he hopes to defend the ranking points gained over the past year.
The World No. 5 has also endured a season of ups and downs, the peak of which came during a four-week period in May and June, when he reached the semi-finals of the Rome Masters and then the final of the French Open.
Now, with more experience in Grand Slam finals, perhaps the 2023 US Open will finally be the tournament where Ruud banishes his Grand Slam final demons.
