Stars from both tours have now learned their fates for the first round of the US Open after the official 2025 draw was announced.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner could run into problems later on in the tournament now that he is on a collision course with the only man not named Carlos Alcaraz to beat him this season, Alexander Bublik.
Aryna Sabalenka could also find it difficult to go back-to-back after being dealt a tough draw that could see her come up against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.
Ahead of the tournament, former US Open champion Andy Roddick reacted to the draws and said who he thinks is going to hoist the title at the end of the fortnight.
Andy Roddick’s predictions for the US Open singles tournaments
Speaking on the ‘Served’ podcast, Roddick said of the women’s event: “I have Iga [Swiatek] winning. I have Iga over Rybakina.”
The American predicted Rybakina to beat Mirra Andreeva in one semifinal, and has Iga Swiatek overcoming Coco Gauff in the other.
He thinks Sabalenka will lose to Rybakina in the quarterfinal, and sees Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Elina Svitolina all making it to the last eight.
For the men’s competition, Roddick said: “I have an Alcaraz vs Sinner final everyone! I have Jannik Sinner winning the US Open.”
His bracket involved Sinner beating Alexander Zverev in one semifinal, and Alcaraz winning versus Taylor Fritz in the other, with Fritz defeating Novak Djokovic in the quarters and Ben Shelton being beaten by Alcaraz.
Andy Roddick says who he thinks could upset Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz
Sinner and Alcaraz remain the heavy favourites to emerge victorious at Flushing Meadows, though Roddick says there is one player who has the best shot of upsetting either of them.
He explained: “I think it’s Ben Shelton. Based on [the] draw. Based on the Opelka thing [first round for Alcaraz], I think Shelton has levelled up.
“Novak, I think going through Fritz and then Alcaraz, that’s a tough one. I think Novak is the third favourite, but based on [the] draw I think Ben Shelton.”
Shelton has made deep runs at Grand Slams this year, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, but was denied both times by Sinner.
At Roland Garros, he bowed out in the fourth round to eventual champion Alcaraz.
