Why an American could win mens Grand Slam title for first time in 23 years at US Open

With reigning U.S.Open champion Jannik Sinner sidelined this year, the path is that much clearer for the American men in the field.Can one take advantage to end the 23-year drought? The next two weeks will tell.Even with Sinner gone, Carlos Alcaraz is making his comeback to the court after a four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury.

He’s the favorite, with Alexander Zverev the top seed and 39-year-old Novak Djokovic still in the mix.Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe all are serious title contenders, with fellow Americans Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima and Tommy Paul also ranked in the top 20.None, however, are looking at Sinner’s absence as a paved road.“No, not really.

Still gotta beat seven guys, however you slice it,” Tiafoe said.“For me, doesn’t really matter if those guys are in [or] those guys are not.

Carlos is still playing, Djokovic’s still playing, a lot of good players.And to be honest, I’ve lost the last few Slams not to any of those guys.

My mind says it’s not really worried about any of those guys; just trying to beat the guy in front of me.”American men have enjoyed a great summer, with Shelton (Montreal) and Fritz (Washington) earning hard-court crowns and both Tiafoe (Cincinnati) and Nakashima (Montreal) reaching finals.That sextet of seeded Americans each aims to become the first man to win the home Grand Slam since Andy Roddick in 2003.“I know how much quality there is in the draw,” Shelton said.“It’d be disrespectful to just think, ‘Oh, there’s no Sinner, it’s a massive opportunity,’ when you have guys who’ve won Slams this year in Zverev, obviously Novak is in the draw, guys who’ve won big titles and been in great form, whether it’s [Rafael] Jodar, Arthur Fils, all the American guys are pretty dangerous on this surface.“To discredit the group that’s playing high-level tennis right now wouldn’t be smart.

Going into a tournament like this, I always have respect for whoever is pl...