New York, Aug 30: Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have emerged as leading contenders for an all-American women’s singles final at the US Open, while the men’s draw promises an unusually open contest with Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils among the players tipped to make deep runs.
The US Open singles tournaments begin Sunday at Flushing Meadows, with major ranking milestones and title ambitions at stake in the final Grand Slam of the year.
Top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka leads the women’s field, but her bid to retain the No. 1 WTA ranking faces competition from Elena Rybakina, Pegula and Gauff, all of whom can move to the top depending on their results.
Gauff and Pegula enter the tournament among the strongest American hopes after meeting in the Cincinnati Open final. Gauff’s recent form has particularly caught the attention of the USA TODAY panel, with two of three reporters backing her to win the title.
“Coco Gauff’s momentum right now is undeniable,” Danielle Lerner said, pointing to the American’s six-match winning streak and Cincinnati triumph.
Lerner predicted Gauff would defeat Iga Swiatek in the final, while Scooby Axson and Cydney Henderson both forecast an all-American championship clash between Gauff and Pegula.
Axson expects Gauff to overcome Swiatek in the semifinals, saying, “As long as Gauff’s serve is on point, she will beat the five-time Grand Slam champion.”
Pegula, meanwhile, has been backed by Axson to win her maiden US Open title and rise to No. 1 in the rankings.
“The pressure will get to Sabalenka and Pegula will take advantage,” Henderson predicted.
Rybakina’s fitness could prove crucial to the women’s draw. The former Wimbledon champion is dealing with Achilles soreness, and Lerner does not expect her to advance beyond the quarterfinals. Sabalenka’s recent struggles against lower-ranked opponents have also prompted doubts about her ability to complete a hat-trick of US Open titles.
One prediction has Gauff meeting Linda Noskova in the final instead, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the women’s draw.
The men’s competition is even harder to predict following world No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal because of a knee injury and Carlos Alcaraz’s return from a four-month injury layoff.
Top seed Alexander Zverev is chasing his second Grand Slam title after winning the French Open earlier this year, while fourth seed Novak Djokovic is pursuing a record-extending 25th major championship.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is seeking his first Grand Slam final, while Americans Fritz and Shelton will attempt to capitalize on home advantage.
“This feels like one of more unpredictable US Opens in recent memory,” Lerner said.
Djokovic remains a major threat despite recent early exits on hard courts. Axson warned against writing off the 25-time major contender, saying, “Those who count out Novak Djokovic do so at their own peril.”
Arthur Fils has also emerged as a surprise pick after an impressive run of form. Axson believes the Frenchman could establish himself alongside Alcaraz and Sinner as part of a new generation at the top of men’s tennis.
“It’s time to crown a new big three, and Fils will fit right in with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner,” Axson said.
Shelton has been tipped to reach his first US Open final and win his maiden Grand Slam, while Fritz is being backed to end America’s long wait for a men’s singles champion.
“Fritz becomes the first American man to win the US Open since 2003,” Lerner predicted.
With Sinner absent, Alcaraz returning without extensive preparation and Djokovic chasing another historic milestone, the men’s tournament is expected to provide a wide-open battle for the title, while Gauff, Pegula and Sabalenka headline an equally compelling women’s competition.
