Rivalry renewed at Flushing Meadows

THE US Open, the final grand slam of the year, begins on Monday. Here, we look at the talking points ahead of Flushing Meadows.

- JONATHAN VEAL

■ Will the rivalry continue?

NOVAK Djokovic will be aiming to get the better of Carlos Alcaraz ancl land a record 25th grand slam title.

The Serbian, who has not lifted a major trophy since winning at Flushing Meadows in 2023, beat his rival at the Olympics earlier this month but Alcaraz coasted to victory at Wimbledon a few weeks earlier.

■ Gauff gunning for more glory

COCO Gauff landed an emotional first grand slam title in New York last year, becoming the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.

She will be hoping the comparisons to Williams do not end there as she looks to dominate her home grand slam, where she will have a famously raucous crowd on her side.