Novak Djokovic's projected path to US Open 2024 final

Djokovic is likely to face Alcaraz or Sinner in finals.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has arrived at the US Open 2024, aiming to win a record 25th Grand Slam and his 100th career title. The Serbian has been basking in the glory of his first-ever Olympic gold medal after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the finals. He hasn’t played a match since his triumph in Paris.

More than the medal, the success highlights the resilience of the 37-year-old, who had to withdraw from the same courts of the French Open earlier this year due to injury. Djokovic underwent surgery and completed the unfinished business by taking the Paris Olympics gold. However, the Serbian hasn’t won a Grand Slam this season, and he has been given a relatively easy draw to reach the finals.

Let’s take a look at his potential opponents on the road to a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic’s projected path to US Open 2024 final

First round: Radu Albot                        

Djokovic will begin his US Open 2024 journey against qualifier Radu Albot in the first round. The Moldovan Radu Albot will be making his 10th appearance at Flushing Meadows. He hasn’t gone past the third round in any of the Grand Slams, but Albot has tasted some success at the US Open in doubles, reaching the semifinals in 2018. The 34-year-old will have a tough task against Djokovic, and it will be the first meeting between the two.

Second round: Jan-Lennard Struff

In the second round, Djokovic is likely to face Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff. They have faced each other seven times, with the Serbian emerging victorious in all encounters. Six of those wins have come on hard surfaces, including a win in the Round of 32 at the 2020 US Open. However, Struff has been in fine form in 2024, winning his first ATP title by lifting the BMW Open. The Olympic gold medalist is expected to overcome this challenge with ease.

Third round: Alexei Popyrin

Djokovic’s first challenge from a seeded player at Flushing Meadows is likely to come from Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Popyrin has been on a roll, reaching his career-best ranking of #23 after winning the Canadian Open earlier this month. The 24-time Grand Slam champion leads 3-0 in their head-to-head meetings, including wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. The result is likely to be the same at the season’s final Grand Slam.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz’s projected path to US Open 2024 final

Fourth round: Ben Shelton

The Round of 16 might feature a rematch of the 2023 US Open semifinals, with former World No. #1 Djokovic potentially facing home favourite Ben Shelton. Although Djokovic won in straight sets last year, it may not be as easy this time, as the American has shown significant improvement over the past 12 months.

Shelton became the youngest player in two decades to win a clay title, defeating Frances Tiafoe, who could also be Djokovic’s opponent in the fourth round if Shelton falters in his first-round match against former US Open champion Dominic Thiem.

Quarterfinals: Andrey Rublev/Grigor Dimitrov

Djokovic will face a stiff challenge in the quarterfinals, with 6th-seeded Andrey Rublev likely to be his opponent. The Russian has been inconsistent, as evidenced by his performance at the Canadian Open, where he beat the World No. 1 but lost the final to a lesser-ranked player.

Djokovic leads 5-1 in their head-to-head meetings, and Rublev could once again falter at the last eight. Alternatively, Djokovic could end up facing Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the semifinals. The Bulgarian has only beaten Djokovic once, and that was nearly a decade ago. It will be difficult for Dimitrov to overcome the defending champion, who is expected to advance.

Semifinals: Alexander Zverev/Casper Ruud

Djokovic might face Alexander Zverev in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows. The German is one of the few players on the circuit who has pushed the Serbian to his limits. Although Djokovic leads 8-4 in their head-to-head meetings, their last four encounters are split evenly at two wins each. This promises to be a fascinating contest on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alternatively, Djokovic could take on Casper Ruud in the semifinals. The defending champion holds five wins over the Norwegian, but Ruud registered a victory in their most recent meeting. This won’t be a cakewalk for Djokovic, and fans could be in for a thrilling match. Both Ruud and Zverev have previously reached the US Open finals, and they will be eager to go one step further this year.

Finals: Jannik Sinner/Carlos Alcaraz

The defending champion is set to face his biggest rivals, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz only in the finals, indicating a favorable draw. The rivalry with each of these players has been intense for the 37-year-old Serbian. In the last two finals, Djokovic faced Carlos Alcaraz. While he won the gold in the Paris Olympics, the Spaniard had the last laugh at Wimbledon.

If Djokovic falters in the semifinals, either Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev could challenge him for the title. Djokovic defeated Medvedev in the finals of the 2023 US Open, and the Russian will be eager to get his revenge and claim his second title at Flushing Meadows.

World No. #1 Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, will also be eager to lift the trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic will face a huge challenge in the finals, but if he can overcome it, history will be made as he becomes the first player to win 25 Grand Slams in men’s singles history.

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