Arthur Fery, the promising British talent who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, has drawn a daunting opening match at the US Open, facing Italy's 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, a quarter-finalist from last year. The draw, announced on Thursday in New York, sets up a potential blockbuster clash between the defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz and the legendary Novak Djokovic later in the tournament, while several other marquee matchups have also been outlined.
Alcaraz, who is returning from a right‑wrist injury sustained in April, will begin his title defence against Ukrainian qualifier Roman Safiullin. If he can navigate that first‑round encounter, the Spaniard could meet a fellow heavyweight in the semi‑finals, most likely Novak Djokovic, who is on a quest for an elusive 25th Grand Slam crown. Djokovic’s own opening bout pits him against Argentina’s world No.
48 Mariano Navone. A victory there would set up a second‑round showdown with either Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon runner‑up, or Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka, who is playing his final Grand Slam before retirement.
The tournament bracket has been mapped out in detail: Alcaraz’s projected path runs through Safiullin in round one, a possible clash with Brooksby or Faria in round two, followed by potential meetings with Arnaldi or Wu, then Bublik or Paul, and a quarter‑final that could feature Shelton, Fils, Lehecka or Norrie before a semi‑final against Djokovic, Medvedev, Tiafoe or Nakashima. Djokovic’s route mirrors this complexity, with early matches against Navone, then Berrettini or Wawrinka, followed by Etcheverry or Landaluce, and later possible opponents such as Nakashima, Rublev or Michelsen, before a quarter‑final that could involve Medvedev, Tiafoe, Vacherot or Rinderknech. Fery’s lack of a seed has forced him into a tough first‑round encounter with Musetti, who made the quarter‑finals last year and is returning from a recent injury lay‑off. Musetti missed the Rome tournament and only reappeared in Canada, meaning he may be a little rusty.
Former British player Naomi Broady, speaking on Sky Sports, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Fery: “It is difficult, but you see the way Fery has been playing this year, you just don’t know what he is capable of.” She added that Musetti’s recent return could make the match even more intriguing. Broady also weighed in on Alcaraz’s opening challenge, noting that Safiullin is a powerful hitter and that the five‑set format will test Alcaraz’s recovering wrist: “The big test for Alcaraz coming back is that it’s a best of five sets which is going to be a big test on the wrist and Safiullin hits the ball massive.
How’s the wrist going to hold up? That’s the question mark around Carlos.” Other notable British participants include world No. 33 Cameron Norrie, who will meet 22‑year‑old Luca Van Assche, a Belgian‑born Frenchman ranked seven places below him.
Jan Choinski, Britain’s No. 3, faces Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp (world No.
71). In the men’s draw, the top seed after the injury‑plagued world No.
1 Jannik Sinner is Alexander Zverev, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, who opens against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. On the women’s side, defending champion and world No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka is aiming for a third consecutive US Open title. She opens against Colombia’s Camila Osorio, a player who has struggled on the North American hard courts but possesses the firepower to cause an upset.
Sabalenka could encounter Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter‑finals if both navigate their early matches. American teenage sensation Coco Gauff, seeded fourth after her Cincinnati title, draws Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez in round one. Gauff is placed in the bottom half of the draw and could face fellow American Amanda Anisimova in the quarter‑finals, setting up a high‑profile home‑country showdown. Britain’s Katie Boulter begins her campaign against US wildcard Carol Lee, ranked 143.
A win could set up a second‑round meeting with Wimbledon finalist and US Open mixed‑doubles champion Karolina Muchova, providing Boulter with a chance to test herself against a proven Grand Slam performer. Several other British hopefuls are still fighting for a place in the main draw through the qualifying rounds, including Fran Jones, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel and Harry Wendelken. Their progress will be closely watched by fans hoping for a strong home representation.
The draw also revealed a what‑could‑have‑been scenario involving Serena Williams. When her sister Venus received a wildcard at age 46, the USTA initially reserved a spot for Serena should she decide to compete in singles for the first time since 2022. Ultimately, Serena chose to play only doubles, and the final wildcard was awarded to American Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion. Venus Williams and Kenin were drawn against each other, while American Jessica Pegula opens against Elena‑Gabriela Ruse, a potential second‑round opponent.
Among the other must‑watch matches, Cincinnati Open champion Arthur Fils will face two‑time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, a clash that promises high‑quality tennis. Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open champion making a farewell appearance, takes on Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon runner‑up who is now a two‑time major finalist. Broady commented on that encounter, noting Berrettini’s powerful serve could give him a slight edge on the hard courts. The US Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans to watch without a contract.
The tournament also coincides with the Laver Cup, which will be staged at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also on Sky Sports. Fans are encouraged to use a Chrome browser for the best video experience. Overall, the opening day of the US Open promises a blend of seasoned champions, rising stars, and dramatic first‑round battles. Whether it’s the potential Alcaraz‑Djokovic showdown, the gritty British underdog Fery against Musetti, or the quest of Sabalenka to secure a third straight title, the tournament is set to deliver high‑stakes tennis and compelling storylines for a global audience.