Daniil Medevev will be under pressure in his US Open title defence, with anything less than a trophy repeat topping him from the ATP top ranking.
Thursday’s draw for the final Grand Slam of the season clarified the struggle for the summit, which has narrowed to Medvedev and Spanish challengers Rafael Nadal and teenaged talent Carlos Alcaraz.
For once, the math is simple: win the title and claim the top ranking.
Out of the mix is Serb Novak Djokovic, losing finalist a year ago to Medvedev in a straight-sets rout whose stubborn refusal to avid a COVID could send his No. 6 ranking tumbling even further,
The world No.1 has already served immigration detention in Australia in January before being deported and was banned from all four Masters events played this season in North America.
In a twist, Nadal and Medvedev could meet in a semi-final while Medvedev theoretically face Nadal in the final.
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev before the Men’s Singles final 2021 by Garrett Ellwood/USTA.
