Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper handed nightmare US Open draws with both on early collision course with world No1s
Load of racquet Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper handed nightmare US Open draws with both on early collision course with world No1s
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EMMA RADUCANU and Jack Draper have been handed nightmare draws to reach US Open glory.
The Brit duo will both have to get past the women's and men's world No1s if they reach the quarter-finals.
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Emma Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw at the US Open
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Meanwhile, Jack Draper may have to face a Wimbledon champion to achieve glory
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No35-ranked Raducanu - who won the tournament in 2021 - will take on an unknown qualifier in the first round.
But the 22-year-old will have to take on queen of the hard courts Aryna Sabalenka if they both reach the quarters.
She would also have to face the in-form Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini along the way.
British No1 Raducanu is in some of her best form since winning the competition four years ago.
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She has battled back from numerous injuries to be fit for the Big Apple showpiece.
However, she has not got out of the first round in New York since her Grand Slam win.
Meanwhile, Draper will also face a mystery qualifier in the first round.
He could then take on Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner in the last eight if they both reach it.
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The Italian Grand Slam superstar is set to play at Flushing Meadows after illness.
The 24-year-old pulled out of the Cincinnati Open final on Monday while losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
Jack Draper told off by partner after comment following US Open win over Raducanu and Alcaraz
Draper was knocked out of the US Open by Sinner in the semi-finals last year.
He then went on to win the title.
World No5 Draper, 23, warmed up for the tournament with a mixed-doubles win over Raducanu.
He was paired with American star Jessica Pegula against his fellow Brit and Alcaraz.
However, his route to the quarters could be much easier than Raducanu.
The highest-ranked player he may face along the way is clay-court specialist Lorenzo Musetti.
If Draper gets through his first round he will face either Zizou Bergs or Tseng Chun-Hsin.
He has beaten both men in their only meetings to date.
Elsewhere for the Brits, Jacob Fearnley will play Roberto Bautista Agu.
Cam Norrie will take on US home favourite Sebastian Korda.
Katie Boulter has been handed a tricky test against world No27 Marta Kostyuk.
And Sonay Kartal will battle against 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The first round of the US Open starts this coming Sunday.
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