The final slam of the tennis calendar at the US Open is just around the corner – and it could be the most unpredictable major of the season. The ATP and WTA have been a Ferris wheel of injuries, with several top stars doubtful to compete, blowing both draws wide open. Anything could happen. So, ahead of the action getting underway, Daily Mail Sport has picked out five reasons to get excited for the fortnight coming up at Flushing Meadows.Carlos Alcaraz’s comebackCarlos Alcaraz confirmed his long-awaited return last Thursday in a collaboration post with football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, using his iconic ‘Here we go’ catchphrase.After missing both Roland Garros and Wimbledon with an ongoing wrist injury, his round-one match in New York will be his first competitive singles outing since the Barcelona Open four months ago. His withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open, where he was expected to make a comeback, leaves real questions over whether he can suddenly cope with the physical demands of five-set matches. Carlos Alcaraz is set to be back in action at the US Open after a lengthy period out injured World No 1 Jannik Sinner has pulled out though, leaving the tournament wide openHis long-standing rival Jannik Sinner has confirmed he will miss the US Open. The world No 1 hasn’t played a competitive match since the Wimbledon final, nursing what has now been revealed as a right knee injury.Aside from his dramatic second-round exit at Roland Garros, Sinner has been ruthless for large parts of the season. He defended his Wimbledon title with ease and became the second man after Rafael Nadal to win all three Clay Court Masters 1000 events in a single year.A Grand Slam without Sinner or Alcaraz as the favourite is a foreign concept – they’ve won nine of the last ten majors between them. With Sinner out and Alcaraz back after a long absence, the chasing pack have a rare chance to shine under the Arthur Ashe lights.Star-studded mixed doubles return The revamped mixed doubles format returns following its controversial introduction last year. With shorter sets, a substantial cash prize and a slot a week before the singles draw, it is designed to lure the top singles stars into competing.After much speculation, Alcaraz and Serena Williams have confirmed they will join forces. The blockbuster pairing – with a combined 44 singles and double Grand Slam – have received a wildcard into the main draw.Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will chase a third straight title and reiterate to the organisers that doubles specialists shouldn’t be undermined or disposable.Other partners include 24-time-Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, all-American duo Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz, plus wildcard partnerships such as spouses Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, and Russian pair Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.Following qualifiers this week, Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool, as well as Katerina Siniakova and Brit Henry Patten, advanced to the main draw, which begins on Tuesday with the semi-finals and final scheduled for tomorrow. Several star-studded pairs are set to play together in the mixed doubles event, including Novak Djokovic (above) and women’s world No 1 Aryna SabalenkaAlexandra Eala maniaIf one thing is for certain, count on Alexandra Eala’s electric Filipino fanbase to flood Flushing Meadows.Her meteoric rise to stardom has launched the Philippines into a tennis-obsessed nation. The 21-year-old’s influence has pushed local governments to build thousands of more hardcourts across the country.Eala arrives in the form of her life, fresh off her biggest career title at the Washington Open – triumphing against world number five Jessica Pegula in the final. The left-handed youngster also had a standout grass court swing: winning a WTA 250 event in Birmingham, reaching the semi-final of the Berlin Open and then at Wimbledon, she beat defending champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the third round.Expect lots of Filipino flags, enthusiastic chants in Tagalog and a player riding a wave of national pride. Alexandra Eala’s electric Filipino fanbase are set to flood Flushing Meadows to cheer her onCan Fery go again? Before Wimbledon, Arthur Fery was seldom mentioned as a serious British prospect, having gone about his business quietly on the ITF and ATP challenger circuit.Now, the 24-year-old is ranked 37 in the world after a historic wildcard run to the semi-finals at the All-England club. Fery, who grew up in Wimbledon, has played only one tournament since, reaching the second round in Cincinnati before falling to Alex De Minaur in two tight sets.With Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu both withdrawing due to injury and Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie rarely threatening at the business end of Slams, Brits will be hoping Fery’s unexpected rise is no fluke. Arthur Fery had a fairytale run at Wimbledon so this will be another exciting challenge for himThe pursuit to be women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka could be dethroned from the top of the WTA rankings in New York, with Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula all able to leapfrog her depending on results.Sabalenka hasn’t reached a final since completing the Sunshine Double in March – a worrying dip by her standards. To retain the top spot, she must win the US Open outright.Rybakina has shown a recent upturn in form, reaching the Canadian Open final and then the Cincinnati quarter-finals before an ankle injury cut her run short, putting her participation in doubt. If she plays, reaching the semi-finals would guarantee her world No 1 status.Cincinnati champion Gauff and Cincinnati and Washington finalist Pegula can also climb to No 1 if they win the tournament and Rybakina loses before the semi-finals.The women’s draw has no obvious frontrunner, and the title feels up for grabs. With four players mathematically in contention, the race for women’s world No 1 remains one of the most compelling storylines heading into the US Open.