Here are the top 5 men and women to watch at this year’s US Open at Flushing Meadows:
Men to keep an eye on
1.Novak Djokovic
The GOAT is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam to break previous record holder Margaret Court, and Olympic gold in Paris shows he could win his first major title since last year’s Open.
2. Jannik Sinner
The world number one failed two doping tests but escaped a ban when an investigation provided him with the alibi that the substance had entered his body accidentally. Will his opponents be just as understanding?
3. Carlos Alcaraz
The Spaniard’s rivalry with Djokovic is currently the biggest in men’s tennis. The 2022 Open champion has won the last two majors – Wimbledon and the French Open – and is aiming for a third.
4. Daniil Medvedev
The Russian won his only major here in Flushing in 2021 and defended his place in the final last year. However, he squandered a two-set lead against Sinner in the final of the Australian Open in January.
5. Ben Shelton
The hard-serving Floridian could be the U.S. men’s best chance, having faced Djokovic in last year’s semifinals before being mocked by the Serb’s post-match celebration.
Women to keep an eye on
1. Coco Gauff
Last year she became the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999, but her season has been marked by ups and downs, and there is apparently friction with her coach Brad Gilbert.
2. Iga Swiatek
She won in Flushing two years ago but is still not as dominant on hard court as she is on clay, having won four of the last five French Opens.
3. Naomi Osaka
Osaka grew up on Long Island and won the US Open in 2018 and 2020, but is still fighting her way back from maternity leave. After failing to advance past the second round of her first three majors this year, the question is whether she can rediscover her old passion.
4. Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka reached the final in Flushing last year and will be looking to seal the deal this time. She likes hard courts and just won in Cincinnati, so it’s possible.
5. Jasmine Paolini
Before her breakthrough, Paolini had never made it past the second round of a major tournament; she reached the fourth round in Australia and the finals at the French Open and Wimbledon.
