US Open full of intrigue as Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic court history

From American Coco Gauff’s title defense to Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of tennis immortality, this U.S. Open teases tons of potential intrigue down the line.

But when the seeds came out Thursday, there were plenty of storylines put in play long before the finals on both the men’s and women’s sides.

The men’s draw put No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner — who avoided suspension despite a positive drug test — Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev all in the top half, with Djokovic on the bottom, seeded second and eyeing a possible rematch with American Ben Shelton in the fourth round.

While attention on the men’s draw is largely on whether Djokovic can c laim his record 25th Grand Slam title, eyes on the women’s side — after top three seeds Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Gauff — focused on Naomi Osaka in the two-time champion’s Flushing return following last year’s maternity leave.

Her clash vs. former French Open champ Jelena Ostapenko is the highlight of the first round.

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“She’s got the talent. It’s all about … where her head is at, how deep she’s willing to dig, enjoy the competition. That part is the key. The game is there, but she has to find that in order to win another major,” John McEnroe, broadcasting the US Open for ESPN, said of Osaka.

“She’s going through some doubtful times,” added fellow icon-turned-broadcaster Chris Evert. “We’ll see if she can get that magic because it is the US Open. She’s won this title a few times, so let’s see if she can get that magic going. I think her story, her journey, remains to be seen. I know she has the game, but it takes more than the game. It takes a lot of confidence, and it takes a lot of focus. We’ll see.”

Gauff beat Sabalenka here last year to become the youngest American woman to win in Flushing since Serena Williams in 1999.

They could meet in a semifinal rematch if the Open goes to chalk, but Gauff has had an up-and-down season that saw her break down in tears at Wimbledon and yell at coach Brad Gilbert.

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“The thing about the tears … you just don’t consciously know the expectations that creep into your cells in your body,” Evert said. “Everybody from Day 1 has thought about Coco, ‘She’s the next Serena Williams. She’s going to be the next one that dominates.’ That stays with you for a long time.

“I think she’s got to start to figure out her own game plan. I think she’s got to start to trust her instincts when she’s playing a match and not always rely on patterns and coaches and people telling her what to do. I just think she’s at an age now where she’s got to play with a little more feel and a little more instinct and a little more belief in herself.”

Swiatek is the world No. 1 but has exited before the quarters in four of her last five majors other than the French.

She could face No. 6 Jessica Pegula in the quarters, with the American still looking for her first Grand Slam semi.

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The men’s draw could have Sinner facing Americans in three of his first four matches, and potentially Alcaraz, who is coming off rare consecutive losses, in the semis.

But defending champ Djokovic is the draw, looking to pass Margaret Court’s all-time Slam record.

He could have a rematch with Shelton in the fourth round, but the hard-serving Floridian has to get past retiring Dominic Thiem in the opener and a possible third-round rematch vs. fellow American Frances Tiafoe .

Shelton beat Tiafoe in last year’s quarterfinals before falling in the semis to Djokovic, who mimicked the American’s “hang up the phone” celebration.

American Tommy Paul opens against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur withdrew Thursday.

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