2021 US Open Draw: Top Seeds Novak Djokovic, Ash Barty Get Tough Paths

(Photo : Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) TOKYO, JAPAN - Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia plays a backhand during his Men's Singles Bronze Medal match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Team Spain on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Tennis Park on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

The draw for the 2021 US Open has just been released, and some mouth-watering matchups are coming our way in the year's final Grand Slam tournament. All eyes will be on top seeds Novak Djokovic and Ash Barty as they look to continue their excellent form this season and add another major title to their trophy cabinets.

Aside from Djokovic and Barty, there are also other key matchups that the tournament has in store during the opening week.

Djokovic goes for history in 2021 US Open

History beckons for Novak Djokovic in the 2021 US Open as he targets a record 21st Grand Slam title and the Calendar Slam with a victory here in New York. He will begin his quest for glory against a qualifier who is yet to be determined.

Djokovic could then face in the second round big-serving German Jan-Lennard Struff, a player who took a set from him in the 2020 Australian Open. The road will only get more challenging for Djokovic in the third round with Japanese star Kei Nishikori or 27th seed David Goffin, his possible opponents.

Should the 20-time Grand Slam champion reach the fourth round, he could meet either Aslan Karatsev, whom Djokovic defeated in the Australian Open semifinals, or Australian star Alex de Minaur, who is seeded 14th in the US Open.

In the quarterfinals, the world no. 1 could face Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini, whom he defeated in this year's Wimbledon final, or Polish star Hubert Hurkacz, who is seeded 10th in the US Open. If he manages to reach the semifinals, he could face Alexander Zverev in a rematch of their semifinals clash at the Tokyo Olympics that Djokovic shockingly lost.

Other marquee first-round matchups in this year's US Open are Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios vs. Roberto Bautista-Agut, and Daniil Medvedev vs. Richard Gasquet.

Barty handed a tough draw

In the women's draw, Ash Barty opens her tournament against 2010 US Open runner-up Vera Zvonareva. The Australian will then have to navigate a second-round test against either Lyon champion Clara Tauson or Lausanne finalist Clara Burel, both highly talented young players.

More challenges await Barty as she will need to escape a section that includes reigning Olympic gold medalist and No. 11 seed Belinda Bencic as well as the in-form Jil Teichmann, whom she defeated in the final in Cincinnati a week ago.

Should Barty reach the quarterfinals, she could then face Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek in a battle of former Roland Garros champions. They faced each other in Madrid in the third round back in May, with Barty emerging victorious in a high-quality encounter.