Djokovic-Alcaraz, Swiatek-Gauff among possible US Open finals - ESPN

NEW YORK — Defending champion Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz wound up on opposite sides of the US Open bracket in Thursday's draw, meaning they could meet in another big final after Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.

For that to happen, the No. 3-seeded Alcaraz might first have to get through a semifinal against No. 1 Jannik Sinner, whose doping case came to light this week. Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was cleared after it was determined the use was unintentional because the banned substance entered his system via a massage from his trainer.

Coco Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam title last year in New York, is seeded No. 3 and opens against Varvara Gracheva of France. Gauff and No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka could meet in the semifinals after playing for the trophy in the 2023 final. The winner could face No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the title.

The US Open starts Monday and ends Sept. 8.

Djokovic won his men's-record 24th Grand Slam singles title last year in Flushing Meadows and has remained stuck on that total, losing to Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals, withdrawing from the French Open after injuring his right knee and losing to Alcaraz at the All England Club.

In a rematch at the Paris Games this month, Djokovic beat Alcaraz in a pair of tiebreakers for his first Olympic gold medal.

Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, hasn't played since. Both he and Alcaraz will begin the US Open against players who emerge from this week's qualifying tournament in New York.

Sinner, of Italy, plays American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round. Sinner, 23, won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Two past US Open women's champions who missed the tournament last year could face a tough time