Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 2022 winner Carlos Alcaraz are the top two seeds for the upcoming U.S. Open in New York, it was announced Thursday.

Sinner opens play against Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic. Among the players in the Italian’s path is Brit Jack Draper, the No. 5 seed.

Alcaraz’s first opponent is Reilly Opelka, one of the most powerful servers on tour. Last year, Alcaraz of Spain was upset in the second round by Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands.

A looming semifinal opponent for Alcaraz on the same half of the draw would be seventh-seeded Novak Djokovic, the four-time U.S. Open winner from Serbia. Djokovic last won the event in 2023.

Play begins Sunday at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev (No. 3) and Taylor Fritz (No. 4) are also part of the top five seeds. Fritz lost to Sinner in last year’s title match.

Ben Shelton earned the No. 6 seed. Australia’s Alex de Minaur (No. 8), Russia’s Karen Khachanov (No. 9) and Italy’s Lorenzo Mussetti (No 10) also are among the top 10.

Joining Fritz and Shelton as top-20 seeds are fellow Americans Tommy Paul (No. 14) and Fraces Tiafoe is No. 17.

–Field Level Media