Djokovic could face Federer in US Open semis, Nadal in final

New York (AFP) – Prime-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic may face Roger Federer within the semi-finals and Rafael Nadal within the ultimate below the US Open draw unveiled Thursday at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic, who defeated Federer final month in an epic Wimbledon ultimate for his 16th Grand Slam crown, had the 20-time Grand Slam champion and third seed dropped into his half of the draw.

“The finals towards Roger in Wimbledon was most likely top-two in essentially the most thrilling matches I’ve ever been part of,” Djokovic stated. “It took me a while… to get again on monitor.”

The opposite match cited by the 32-year-old Serbian star was his five-set victory over Nadal within the 2012 Australian Open ultimate.

Djokovic is 26-22 all-time towards Federer and 28-26 for his profession towards Nadal in matches among the many Massive Three.

Federer and Nadal, who’ve by no means performed on the US Open, may solely meet within the ultimate.

Djokovic, who beat Juan Martin del Potro in final 12 months’s US Open ultimate, will play his first-round match towards Spain’s 76th-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena.

He could possibly be examined by South African Kevin Anderson or Swiss Stan Wawrinka within the fourth spherical and face in-form Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in a quarter-final.

“Many of the gamers research the draw to be trustworthy,” Djokovic stated. “You take a look at your part to see who’s in there. Many of the gamers look additional than the primary spherical however the focus of your consideration is on the primary spherical.”

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Djokovic defended his title at Wimbledon, the fifth time he has managed the feat at a Grand Slam however one he has not achieved at Flushing Meadows after wins in 2011, 2015 and final 12 months.

“You’ve gotten that further stress and expectations,” Djokovic stated. “Over time I assume you get extra used to it.

“It is a paramount problem, to defend a Grand Slam title. These are the tournaments you need to win essentially the most. That is the place you need to shine.”

Medvedev, who opens towards 89th-ranked Prajnesh Gunneswaran of India, is coming off an ATP Cincinnati Masters crown after additionally reaching US Open tuneup hardcourt finals at Montreal and Washington.

Federer will open towards a qualifier as will Japan’s seventh-seeded Kei Nishikori, additionally in his quarter of the draw.

Second seed Nadal, who gained his 18th Grand Slam title at this 12 months’s French Open, has Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem on his aspect of the bracket.

Nadal’s first US Open match will probably be towards Australia’s 61st-ranked John Millman, who shocked Federer on the match in 2018, whereas fourth-seeded Thiem’s opener will probably be towards Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano.

“That is the place we’ll attain some sort of a climax when it comes to the standard of tennis and the curiosity of followers all over the world,” Djokovic stated. “It’ll be an ideal match.”

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