The 2021 champion falls: only Alcaraz can repeat the title at the US Open

He US Open 2026 It started with four of the five tournament champions still active in tennis. Of them, one was erased from the table before his participation due to injury, the Croatian Marin Cilic (2014). The Swiss Stan Wawrinka (2016) said goodbye, as he hangs up his racket this season.

Who would have been one of the main favorites, the Italian Jannik Sinner (2024). The most successful of those present, the Serbian Novak Djokovic (2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023), had a short-lived participation at 39 years old.

Only two of the kings in the record reached the round of 16, the Spanish Carlos Alcarazthe best in 2022 and 2025, and the Russian Daniil Medvedev, who won in 2021, after having lost the 2019 final, as would also happen in 2023.

The Muscovite, 30 years old and world No. 8, has fallen from the list of main candidates, he has not reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal since the US Open 2024. It will not happen in this edition in New York either. He said goodbye in the round of 16, and Alcaraz is the only one who can repeat victory in Flushing Meadows.

Medvedev was a victim of the USA festival. He fell to the American Frances Tiafoe28 years old and No. 12, semifinalist of the event in 2022 and 2024, also quarterfinalist in 2023. Recent finalist in Cincinnati, eliminated the European by 7-6 (1), 6-4 and 7-6 (6) in 2h.57′.

Frances Tiafoe, to the quarterfinals of the US Open against Alex MichelsenFrank Franklin II / Ap-LaPresse

With the support of the public and in better shape than Medvedev, Tiafoe achieved his second victory in eight duels with Medvedev. This season they had lost in Brisbane 6-3 and 6-2, until this moment they had only managed one success in the Laver Cup.

The United States has already secured a semifinalist in the tournament, as Tiafoe will meet his compatriot Alex Michelsenwho beat the Argentine Tomás Martín Etcheverry by 7-6 (6), 6-4 and 6-4.

Alex Michelsen, of the United States, celebrates during the second round of the US Open tennis championships against Brandon Nakashima, of the United States, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) — Alex Michelsen, Frances Tiafoe’s opponent in the quarterfinals. USA DuelSeth Wenig/Ap-LaPresse

Tiafoe went straight for Medvedev, whom he made uncomfortable with the rises to the net, more frequent than usual in his strategy. ‘Big Foe’ chose to be more aggressive than ever, and it turned out perfectly. He came back from a set point in the last tiebreak, which ended with an unforced error on the forehand by the Russian. He hit the ball into the net, from the middle of the court. Obfuscated.

Of the Tiafoe-Michelsen the rival of the best of the clash between Carlos Alcaraz and the survivor of the crash between another local, Ben Sheltonand the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. A total conflict is being designed between Alcaraz and the USA.