Tuesday marks the start of Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open title defence in New York, one day after Novak Djokovic’s stunning performance ensured that he would take Carlos Alcaraz’s place as the new No. 1 player in the world.

Alcaraz, who last month overcame Djokovic in a dramatic five-set Wimbledon final, begins his campaign with a night encounter against German player Dominik Koepfer, who is ranked extremely low.

The 20-year-old Spanish star hopes to become the first person to successfully defend the US Open crown since Roger Federer did so in 2008, winning the tournament for a record-tying fifth time.

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Alcaraz was ranked No. 1 going into this year’s competition, but thanks to Djokovic’s domineering display on Monday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, he will drop to No. 2 after the competition.

With an almost faultless late-night masterclass, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion defeated France’s Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.

Djokovic made a triumphant return to New York after missing the 2022 US Open due to his refusal to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Daniil Medvedev, the No. 3 seed and champion from 2021, faces Attila Balazs of Hungary in the opening match of the other men’s draw matches on Tuesday.

Separately, 11 years after his lone US Open victory in 2012, Britain’s Andy Murray plays France’s Corentin Moutet in his opening match, and Italy’s sixth-seeded Jannik Sinner faces Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.