US Open men's draw faces uncertainty amid injuries and upsets

The US Open men's draw has entered a period of significant uncertainty as top contenders face injury and early exits. Jannik Sinner is absent due to a knee issue, and Carlos Alcaraz is returning to competition following a four-and-a-half-month absence caused by a wrist injury.

American hopes for a breakthrough have faced early setbacks. The 16th-seeded Brandon Nakashima was eliminated in the second round after losing in straight sets to Alex Michelsen. Meanwhile, eighth-seeded Ben Shelton struggled through a four-set victory against Hubert Hurkacz, noting shifts in match momentum.

Other major figures include top seed Alexander Zverev, whose recent form has been inconsistent, and 39-year-old Novak Djokovic, who has limited match play leading into the tournament. The absence of several dominant players has created a wide-open field for the remainder of the Grand Slam.