Novak Djokovic projected US Open draw: Roger Federer same half, Rafael Nadal final
Novak Djokovic has been dealt a difficult US Open draw as Roger Federer was placed in the same half, but Rafael Nadal cannot be met until the final.
Defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic may have to beat both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to defend his crown at Flushing Meadows.
The Serbian is the pre-tournament favourite but the draw has done him no favours whatsoever.
Djokovic would have been hoping Federer and Nadal were have been placed in the same half, as they were at Wimbledon.
But third-seed Federer could meet Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Djokovic will get his campaign underway against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena before a potential match-up with big-serving American Sam Querrey.
Proceedings may start to get tricky for the 16-time Grand Slam winner in the fourth round with a likely meeting with either Stan Wawrinka or Kevin Anderson.
Daniil Medvedev, who beat Djokovic in the Cincinnati Masters last week, could await in the quarter-finals.
Then mouthwatering back-to-back ties with Nadal and Federer are in the offing.
Novak Djokovic projected route to US Open final
R1: Roberto Carballes Baena
R2: Sam Querrey
R3: Dusan Lajovic
R4: Stan Wawrinka / Kevin Anderson
QF: Daniil Medvedev
SF: Roger Federer
F: Rafael Nadal