Wimbledon: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz in same half, Novak Djokovic starts with qualifier

When the men’s draw began proceedings Friday at Wimbledon, reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz landed in the same half as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Should Novak Djokovic determine he is fit enough to play, the seven-time champion opens with qualifier Vit Kopriva.

Sinner begins his quest for a second major of the season against Yannick Hanfmann, though this month's Halle titlist could soon be tested in the second round by a familiar face. Countryman Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up, takes on former quarterfinalist Marton Fucsovics.

Seeds in Sinner’s quarter include No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov and No. 14 Ben Shelton. Returning semifinalist Medvedev gets Aleksander Kovacevic of the U.S. to start.

Alcaraz launches his bid to complete the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double with a qualifier in Mark Lajal. The highest seed in his section is three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, whose love-hate relationship with grass courts is well documented.

Queen’s Club champion Tommy Paul, the No. 12 seed, just may be the competitor to get through to the quarters here to potentially face Alcaraz. Paul’s compatriot Frances Tiafoe is the first seed the Spaniard could go up against in the third round.

The third quarter is the widest open of the four, with unseeded Cameron Norrie the lone player with a semifinal showing at SW19 under his belt. While Roland Garros runner-up Alexander Zverev—the fourth seed—and sixth seed Andrey Rublev are projected to meet in the last eight, there are plenty of viable contenders looking to shake up that scenario.

There’s 13th seed Taylor Fritz, a player seeking his third Eastbourne title this weekend with a past quarterfinal effort at the All England Club. Stuttgart champion Jack Draper, the No. 28 seed, could also factor in. As could No. 20 seed Sebastian Korda and Queen’s Club runner-up Lorenzo Musetti. Like Korda, 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking to improve upon his best performance: the round of 16.

With Alcaraz opening play Monday, Djokovic will gladly take an extra day of preparation as he attempts to recover in time from meniscus surgery.

The Serbian’s journey to a possible final-eight clash with No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz could include 15th seed Holger Rune, 21st seed Karen Khachanov, 2023 quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks or Paul Jubb if the wild card maintains his hot hand to reach the second week. Djokovic once again bids to capture his 25th major title after being forced to prematurely end his Roland Garros campaign with the knee injury.

Two-time winner Andy Murray shared Thursday he would make a “last-minute” decision on whether he’d be able to play a farewell Wimbledon after having a spinal cyst procedure. The 37-year-old drew Tomas Machac, whom he was edged out by in Miami after playing on with ruptured ligaments in his left ankle.