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Nadal will open against #NextGenATP Hijikata
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are on the same half of the US Open draw as the battle for World No. 1 heats up, while top seed and defending champion Daniil Medvedev faces a tricky path at Flushing Meadows, which could include Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round.

Nadal enters the year’s final Grand Slam in pole position in the battle for World No. 1. The four-time US Open champion controls his own destiny as he tries to return to the top spot. If the 36-year-old lifts the trophy, he will climb to the top of men’s tennis’ mountain.

Nadal will begin his pursuit of a fifth title in New York against Australian Rinky Hijikata, who tested Medvedev in a tight two-setter earlier this month in Los Cabos. If Nadal advances, the lefty could in the second round play Fabio Fognini, who upset him here in five sets in 2015.

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Other notable players in Nadal’s quarter of the draw are seventh seed Cameron Norrie, 14th seed Diego Schwartzman, 19th seed Denis Shapovalov and home favourite Frances Tiafoe, the 22nd seed.

Alcaraz has a chance to become the youngest No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings over the coming fortnight. The 2021 US Open quarter-finalist plays fellow Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals alumnus Sebastian Baez in the first round and the highest seed in his quarter of the draw is eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz. Borna Coric, who last week won the Western & Southern Open, could challenge Alcaraz in the third round.

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Medvedev, who along with Nadal, Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud has a chance to leave New York as World No. 1, opens his title defence against American Stefan Kozlov, whom he defeated 6-2, 6-2 in 2016 Wimbledon qualifying, their only previous professional meeting.

The 26-year-old could play rapidly rising American Ben Shelton in the third round and red-hot Nick Kyrgios in what would be a blockbuster fourth round. Kyrgios defeated Medvedev in three sets in Montreal earlier this month. The Australian will focus on his first match, though, as he faces a tough opening test against a player whom he often calls a “brother”, countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Fourth seed Tsitsipas has never moved into the second week in New York. The Greek will try to make a good start against a qualifier, with dangerous serve-and-volleying American Maxime Cressy looming in the third round.

Ruud, who advanced to the third round at the US Open in 2020, is the fifth seed. The Norwegian star will play Briton Kyle Edmund in the first round. World No. 666 Edmund is recovering from injury,

Dominic Thiem, who is returning to New York for the first time since winning the 2020 US Open, will begin his run against Montreal champion Pablo Carreno Busta.