US Open 2024: Jannik Sinner's projected path to final ft. potential SF with Carlos Alcaraz

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will lead the field at the 2024 US Open. He comes into the tournament fresh off a title in Cincinnati and will be one of the favorites to lift the trophy at the end of the fortnight.

That said, Sinner will face a tough challenge from the likes of defending champion Novak Djokovic as well as former winners Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.

With the dust settled on the US Open 2024 draw, it's time to zoom in on possible matchups. The main draw matches are set to begin in a couple of days. Let's look at how the 2024 US Open draw could shape up for Sinner:

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Jannik Sinner’s US Open first round opponent - Mackenzie McDonald

Jannik Sinner will open against Mackenzie McDonald (IMAGE: Getty)

Jannik Sinner will open his US Open 2024 campaign against Mackenzie McDonald. While not a threat on paper, the American is a tricky first opponent.

McDonald has four wins over top-10 players and has made deep runs at Grand Slams in the past: most recently, at the 2023 Australian Open. He has a strong baseline game tailor-made for hardcourts and has troubled Sinner in the past. While the Italian leads their head-to-head 3-0, he has been pushed the distance twice.

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Jannik Sinner’s projected US Open second round opponent - Alex Michelsen

Sinner will take on either a qualifier or another American Alex Michelsen in the second round.

The Italian recently beat Michelsen en route to the title win in Cincinnati. The two had met in the third round and the Italian won in two tight sets: 6-4, 7-5. That has been their only meeting on tour so far.

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Jannik Sinner’s projected US Open third round opponent - Nicolas Jarry

27th seed Nicolás Jarry is the first player in Sinner’s projected path who has never been beaten by him. A loss for Sinner in the 2019 Libema Open remains the duo’s only past meeting. The top seed will be keen to level the score.

Jarry, however, will need to win against the likes of former champion Stan Wawrinka and Australia's Chris O'Connell to get to the third round.

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Jannik Sinner’s projected US Open fourth round opponent - Tommy Paul

Tommy Paul is the 14th seed at the 2024 US Open (IMAGE: Getty)

Another player who has won against Sinner before is 14th seed Tommy Paul.

While Paul trails their head-to-head 1-2, he possesses the sort of firepower to push Sinner on the court. The American has been in good form this year, having won his first ATP 500 title at the Queen’s Club Championships and making the Wimbledon quarterfinal.

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Jannik Sinner’s projected US Open QF opponent - Daniil Medvedev

Former US Open champion, Daniil Medvedev, could take on Sinner in the quarterfinal. The 2020 winner started the year well by making the Australian Open final but has not been able to translate the good form into title wins.

Medvedev lost another big final at Indian Wells recently. However, his 7-5 lead in the head-to-head with Sinner promises an interesting encounter if the two meet in the last eight.

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Jannik Sinner’s projected US Open SF opponent - Carlos Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner has lost to Carlos Alcaraz twice this year (IMAGE: Getty)

The most intriguing rivalry developing on tour could see its 10th installment unfold at the US Open 2024. Jannick Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are projected to meet in the semifinal.

The two have faced off twice this year, with Alcaraz winning on both occasions (once on hardcourts at Indian Wells). Sinner will be keen on getting the win this time, leveling their head-to-head, which he currently trails 4-5.

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Jannik Sinner’s projected US Open Final opponent - Novak Djokovic

Anchoring the bottom half of the draw as the second seed, Novak Djokovic is the projected final opponent for Sinner.

The Italian has already dashed Djokovic’s hope for a Slam once this year, beating him in the Australian Open semifinal. The Serb, who is yet to win a Slam this year, will be keen to avenge that loss and in turn, extend his 4-3 lead over Sinner.