Sinner and Alcaraz Favored to Complete Calendar Clean Sweep

The US Open is set to kick off on Sunday, with the world’s top tennis players vying for the final Grand Slam title of the year. However, for the men’s players, there’s a daunting task at hand: stopping Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have dominated the majors in recent years.

The Italian and Spanish duo have carved up the past seven majors between them, with Sinner winning the 2024 French Open and Alcaraz claiming the 2024 Wimbledon title. Their latest head-to-head encounters have seen them contest the past two Grand Slam men’s finals, with Sinner winning the 2024 French Open and Alcaraz taking the 2024 Wimbledon title. The evidence suggests that someone may have to beat both of the top two seeds to lift the New York title, as they are in opposite sides of the draw.

According to American sixth seed Ben Shelton, “If you want to win a big title these days, that’s who you’ve got to go through.” With the US Open being the final major of the year, it’s no surprise that the pressure is on for the top players to deliver. Novak Djokovic, the only man to win the US Open twice in the past seven years, remains a strong contender to stop Sinner and Alcaraz, despite being 38 years old. Djokovic has been in impressive form this season, winning the Australian Open and the French Open, and will be looking to add the US Open to his list of titles.

Alexander Zverev, the German third seed, has enlisted the help of Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s coach, in a bid to overcome his struggles against the very best at the business end of majors. Nadal believes that Zverev has a chance to beat Sinner and Alcaraz, citing the fact that players like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Djokovic have all had similar struggles in the past. Zverev, who has been struggling with his form this season, will be looking to make a deep run at the US Open and prove himself as a top contender.

The American challenge is led by fourth seed Taylor Fritz, who lost to Sinner in last year’s final, and 2023 semi-finalist Ben Shelton. However, the home fans are still waiting to celebrate their first home men’s champion since Andy Roddick in 2003. British number one Jack Draper, who reached the semi-finals last year, is fancied to go far, but he has been troubled with an arm injury and has not played singles since his early Wimbledon exit in July. Draper will be looking to overcome his injury and make a deep run at the US Open.

In the women’s singles tournament, Iga Swiatek is the most favored to win, having warmed up for Flushing Meadows with victory at the Cincinnati Open. Swiatek, the second seed, has been in impressive form this season, winning the French Open and reaching the final at the Australian Open. She will be looking to add the US Open to her list of titles and complete a calendar Grand Slam.

However, Coco Gauff, the American third seed, has been struggling with her serve and has parted with her coach to bring in Gavin MacMillan, who helped Aryna Sabalenka stem a similar flow of double faults. Sabalenka, the defending US Open champion, is also in unconvincing form, having been outclassed by Elena Rybakina in Cincinnati. Despite the challenges ahead, Sabalenka remains hopeful of becoming the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams in 2014.

Other contenders in the women’s singles tournament include last year’s runner-up Jessica Pegula, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova. The women’s draw is looking particularly strong this year, with many players vying for the top spot. With Sinner and Alcaraz favored to complete their calendar clean sweep, the pressure is on for the top players to deliver.

The US Open is set to be a thrilling tournament, with many players vying for the final Grand Slam title of the year. With the top players in the world competing for the title, it’s sure to be an exciting and closely contested tournament.