Emma Raducanu lands horror US Open draw as Serena Williams finds out her round-one fate in last event before retirement
TENNIS QUEEN Emma Raducanu has been handed a tough draw as she looks to defend her US Open crown.
The Brit, 19, faces wily campaigner and history-maker Alize Cornet – this will be a record 63rd consecutive major appearance for the Frenchwoman – in the first round in New York next week.
If 11th seed Raducanu progresses, she could face either Japan’s Naomi Osaka or American Danielle Collins in the third round – and then maybe Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan in the fourth round.
Superstar Serena Williams, 40, will begin the last event of her stellar career against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the first round – with second seed Anett Kontaveit a possible second-round opponent.
In the men’s draw, No7 seed Cameron Norrie is up against French hot-head Benoit Paire first but might have to negotiate Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
Andy Murray has been drawn against Argentina No24 seed Francisco Cerundolo in the first round.
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But he could face Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round – a year after their infamous toilet break row in the Big Apple.
Defending men’s champion Daniil Medvedev – who beat Novak Djokovic in the 2021 final – goes up against American Stefan Kozlov.
Australian Open doubles champs and best mates Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will face off in round one at Flushing Meadows.
No20 seed Dan Evans tackles Czech Jiri Vesely, Jack Draper plays Finn Emil Ruusuvuori and injury-jinxed Kyle Edmund – who has a protected ranking – will have to take down No5 seed Casper Ruud.
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Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament – just two hours before the main draw took place.
The Serb – who is unvaccinated – left it as late as possible to see if the US government would relax mandatory Covid-19 rules for foreign travellers.
He had hoped the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention would change protocols for those arriving into the country this summer.
Yet the Wimbledon champion ran out of time – the event starts in New York on Monday – and he has decided to remain in Europe.
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Djokovic, who was replaced by a ‘lucky loser, said: “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to New York this time for the US Open.
“Thank you for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players!
“I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!”
Djokovic, 35, won a 21st Slam title when he beat Australian Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final last month but he is one major shy of Nadal’s record tally of 22 on the men’s circuit.
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American tennis iconic John McEnroe branded it a “joke” that Djokovic cannot enter the United States and play at an event which he has won three times.
The world No6 is barred from entering Australia following an immigration row in January and therefore won’t compete at a tennis major until the 2023 French Open at the earliest.
