US Open 2023: It's Novak Djokovic's title to win, not Carlos Alcaraz, suggests Purav Raja

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US Open 2023 got underway at its familiar venue in New York today (August 28). The men's singles title in this championship has not been defended by anyone in the last 15 years. We have seen 10 different men's singles US Open champions in this time frame. However, Carlos Alcaraz is expected to buck that trend with 23-time Major winner Novak Djokovic standing firm in his way.

After Roger Federer's phenomenal run in the US Open came to an end in 2008, nobody has won the singles title in consecutive seasons. Rafael Nadal has managed to win it 4 times (2010, 2013, 2017 & 2019) and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2015 & 2018) has won it 3 times in this time period.

However, can Carlos Alcaraz, the current US Open champion, break this curse?

"No, if Novak wins it," says Purav Raja during an interview with select media houses, arranged by Sony Sports Network. He also chose his favorite to be Novak Djokovic to win the men's singles title but he predicted Carlos Alcaraz to reach the semifinals at the leas with the likes of Alexender Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev in the running.

Further, Purav Raja, India's experienced Davis Cup player, added, "It has been one of those strange times when it has not been defended but it is also one of the coolest Grand Slams because of that, because of its unpredictability."

Carlos Alcaraz is in form of his life. The current US Open champion is high on confidence after winning his second Grand Slam, Wimbledon 2023. It is his best chance to defend the title but will Djokovic let that happen easily?

The recent result suggests the Serbian tennis superstar is having trouble at the Flushing Meadows. Since winning the US Open in 2018, Djokovic He got disqualified from the 2020 edition after hitting a line judge with the ball.

In the 2021 final, he was comprehensively beaten by Daniil Medvedev. Controversially, he was not allowed to participate in the championships because of his refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccine. However, this year, he is looking all set to make his comeback to the New York court and do what he has not done in the last 5 years.

However, being World No.1 means something and the Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz has been holding that spot since June and before winning the Wimbledon back in July. That was followed by a three-set final defeat to his Serbian foe at the Cincinnati Masters, which some believe, should shift the momentum in Djokovic's favour as rankings may not count on the day it matters.

Purav refused to read much into seeding and ranking as well, saying, "we saw the likes Karolina Pliskova be No.1 and never win a Grand Slam."

US Open 2023 will be telecast Live on Sony Sports Networks channels as well as Live streamed on SonyLIV