It's going to be a tough road for Daniil Medvedev as he looks to defend his U.S. Open title in 2022. As the top seed, the Russian is placed in a quarter that features heavy hitters like Felix Auger-Aliasimme (world no. 8) and Nick Kyrgios, who recently reached the Wimbledon final. After his triumphant 2021 win over Novak Djokovic, Medvedev starts his defense on Monday against the USA's Stefan Kozlov, though he faces significant obstacles if he wants to win another title at Flushing Meadows.
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev has been handed a tough draw to defend his title at the U.S. Open 2022. The Russian top seed is drawn in the men’s singles quarter that also has Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios and world no.8 Felix Auger-Aliasimme of Canada. Medvedev won the 2021 U.S. Open title after beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Medvedev will open his U.S. Open title defense on Monday against Stefan Kozlov of America. The Russian star is expected to face major hurdles on the path to a second Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
Though Medvedev is taking things one step at a time, fans are already anticipating a thrilling fourth-round clash with Nick Kyrgios. The Australian is in peak form this season and holds a recent psychological edge, having beaten the world no. 1 in Montreal. Kyrgios will begin his tournament against his compatriot, Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Felix Auger-Aliasimme is expected to battle 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the Round of 16. Carreno Busta, 31, starts his run against Dominic Thiem; the 2020 champion is back in the final Grand Slam of the year thanks to a wildcard, following a long recovery from multiple injuries.
The bottom half of the bracket is equally exciting, hinting at a dream all-Spanish matchup between second seed Rafael Nadal and the rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz made history last year as the youngest quarter-finalist in the tournament's history. Nadal, chasing his fifth U.S. Open trophy, begins against Australia's Rinky Hijikata, while Alcaraz opens against Argentina's Sebastian Baez.
Should Nadal navigate the early rounds successfully, he'll likely face 7th seed Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals. If he advances past the final eight, a high-stakes semi-final against his fellow countryman, Alcaraz, is on the horizon.
In the women's draw, Serena Williams—who has suggested this might be her final U.S. Open—starts her run against Danka Kovinic. However, she could face a tough second-round test against the second seed, Estonia's Anett Kontaveit.
Serena is making a comeback to singles after a year-long hiatus triggered by an injury at Wimbledon 2021. Her form has been shaky this season with a 1-3 record, and this match marks the first time she and Montenegro's Kovinic will meet in a singles match.
Emma Raducanu, the defending women's singles champion, will begin her title defense against France's Alize Cornet.