Jannik Sinner will be the top seed at the US Open after the USTA announced the direct entry lists for the final Grand Slam of the season.
Sinner heads the men's field at Flushing Meadows, where main-draw play begins on August 30. The Wimbledon champion is trying to regain the title he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year's final. Aryna Sabalenka leads the women's side and will attempt to become the first player to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams achieved the feat from 2012-14.
The USTA published the entry lists based on the July 20 rankings. The cutoff was No. 101 for the men and No. 102 for the women. Alcaraz, who has missed the last two majors because of a right wrist injury that forced him to skip the French Open and Wimbledon, is ranked No. 3 and has entered the tournament. The United States led all nations with 14 men and 14 women earning direct entry.
Filip Misolic, using a protected ranking, was the final man to earn direct entry at No. 101. Anastasia Zakharova was the last woman in at No. 102. Eight players used special or protected rankings to gain entry into the 128-player fields.
The remaining spots will be filled by wild cards and qualifying tournaments the week before the main draw begins. Serena Williams, who returned to tennis at age 44 before injuring her knee in a first-round loss at Wimbledon, would be expected to receive a wild card if healthy and planning to play.
Sinner arrives in New York fresh off his fifth major championship at Wimbledon, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final. Alcaraz is hoping the North American hard-court swing marks his return from the wrist injury that has sidelined him since April. Both players could meet again in the US Open final if they navigate the draw.
Sources
https://apnews.com/article/us-open-tennis-field-sabalenka-sinner-b92454660ffb3e3c6d5306c1066c6d32
