When can Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner meet at the US Open 2024? Looking at how long until the two collide at Flushing Meadows
The US Open 2024 will kick off on Monday, August 26, and Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will aim to complete a full sweep of the Majors this year. The Italian won the Australian Open at the start of the season, and the Spaniard triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Sinner is the top seed at the US Open, while Alcaraz is seeded third. The latter had an opportunity to snag the second spot but he crashed out in the second round of the Cincinnati Open and thus missed his shot to improve his seeding. The two have been placed in the top half of the draw, and are on track to lock horns in the semifinals.
Sinner has an impressive 48-5 record this season, though Alcaraz is responsible for two of those five losses. The two have only met twice this year, and the Spaniard emerged victorious on both occasions.
Alcaraz handed Sinner his first loss of the season at the Indian Wells Masters as he rallied from a set down to beat him in the semifinals. He staged another comeback in their next encounter at the French Open, coming back from two sets to one down in their semifinal showdown.
Alcaraz leads Sinner 5-4 in the head-to-head. Neither player has won three matches in a row in this rivalry thus far. If the pattern holds, then their next match could go the Italian's way.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played out a thrilling five-set encounter at the US Open 2022
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner already battled at the US Open once before, and it was an affair to remember. The two met in the quarterfinals here two years ago, and the Spaniard saved a match point to sneak past his rival. The match lasted for more than five hours and finished close to 3:00 a.m.
Given how they've improved over the last two years, another showdown between them would definitely surpass their previous US Open thriller in terms of quality. However, Alcaraz's early exit from Cincinnati does cast a faint shadow of doubt on his form.
While Sinner went on to win the title, his joy was rather short-lived. Less than a day after his triumph, it was revealed that he tested positive for a banned substance. While he was given a clean chit, the revelation sent shockwaves through the tennis fraternity. It remains to be seen whether or not it has an impact on his campaign.