This is how the round of 16 of the US Open remains after the surprise and the conflict Alcaraz vs. USA

‘Surprises’ happen in the men’s draw at the US Open. Even before this last Grand Slam event of the 2026 season began. It was pleasant news that Carlos Alcaraz announced his reappearance in New York without prior competition, although the Italian was deleted the next day Jannik Sinnerchampion in 2024 and finalist in 2025.

With the competition underway, it didn’t take long for the most successful tennis player in history, the Serbian, to say goodbye. Novak Djokovicaccusing the punishment that his body carries at 39 years old. With heat and humidity, your physique suffers in the form of vomiting and cramps. He fell to the Argentine Mariano Navone.

Novak Djokovic, physically sunk in New YorkOther sources

He was one of the five top-10 in the world ranking who remained in the initial rounds. The Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 4 and 2025 semi-finalist, physically punctured against the Russian Karen Khachanov, like the Australian Alex de Minaur (no. 7) with the Dutch Botic Van de Zandschulp.

The last surprise for now: the KO of Taylor FritzNo. 10 and 2024 finalist, who lost a two-set lead against the Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo. On the same day that the Italian fell Flavio Cobollino. 6.

The Madrid native, number 13 in the world, fell to the Chinese Bu Yunchaokete 6-2, 6-1 and 6-1 on his return to the New York Grand Slam. — The Madrid native, number 13 in the world, fell to the Chinese Yunchaokete Bu 6-2, 6-1 and 6-1 in his debut

The Spanish did not perform like they did on the previous tour Rafa Jodar (no. 13), the French Arthur Fils (no. 11) and the American Brandon Nakashima (no. 17).

Of the four top-10 survivors, three are in the lower part of the table, where there may be an ongoing conflict of Carlos Alcaraz, defender of the crown, with USA tennis. The series begins in the round of 16 against Tommy PaulI could continue in the quarterfinals with Ben Sheltonwho has a ‘trap’ date with the revenant Stefanos Tsitsipasand the finishing of a ‘semi’ with Frances Tiafoe (no. 12), if he survives his encounter with the Russian Daniil MedvedevNo. 8 and the only one who can repeat the title in New York along with Alcaraz.

Above were many players who did not count to be in the round of 16. A round in which the absolute leader of this part of the draw arrived, the German Alexander Zverev.

Alexander Zverev, of Germany, exults after defeating Quentin Halys, of France, in five sets in the second round of the US Open tennis championships, early Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) — Alexander Zverev, early morning matches that lasted almost five hoursFrank Franklin II / Ap-LaPresse

The Roland Garros champion did not suffer so much against the Chilean left-hander Alejandro Tabilo. He needed it after having played ten sets in two matches, having added almost ten hours on the court to beat Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys.

This US Open started off in a mess, there is no peace in a table that has been very unbalanced. Alcaraz goes for the most complicated.

This is how the round of 16 remain

US Open (men’s draw)

Upper part
Alexander Zverev (Ale/1)-Luciano Darderi (Ita/21)
Arthur Gea (Fra)-Botic Van de Zandschulp (Ned)
Karen Khachanov (Rus)-Learner Tien (USA)
Francisco Cerúndolo (Arg/24)-Alexander Blockx (Bel/28)
Lower part
Daniil Medvedev (Rus/7)-Frances Tiafoe (USA/11)
Alex Michelsen (USA)-Tomás Martín Etcheverry (Arg/2/
Ben Shelton (USA/8)-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre)
Tommy Paul (USA/20)-Carlos Alcaraz (Esp/2)

In the women’s draw, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka continues to defend title after a bad streak of results. He is in the round of 16. He also has a battle for number 1 in which he has an advantage Elena Rybakinain which the Americans can still star in the ‘sorpasso’ Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. There is more logic for now than in the men’s singles