US Open 2024 || Players to watch out for | Women’s Singles

The US Open Tennis Championships, commonly known as the US Open, is a hard-court tournament held annually in Queens, New York.

The US Open is chronologically the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, the other three being the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon.

This year, the US Open is being held from August 26 to September 8, 2024.

In this article, we take a look at the players to watch out for in the Women’s Singles draw of the 2024 US Open. 

Also read: US Open Sponsors 2024

TITLE FAVOURITES

Iga Swiatek

Poland’s Iga Swiatek is one of the most consistent players on the Women’s Tour at the moment. She is also a former US Open champion, having won here two years ago.

With three consecutive French Open titles, four WTA titles, and an Olympic bronze that she secured this year, Swiatek is more than capable of going all the way at the 2024 US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka

Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka is one of the most-feared players on the hard courts right now. The Belarusian also made it to the US Open finals last year where she lost to Coco Gauff.

Coming into the 2024 US Open, Sabalenka has a point to prove and is certainly one of the favourites for the title, especially after winning the recently-concluded Cincinnati Open.

Coco Gauff

This 20-year-old sensation is a home favourite and the defending US Open champion.

Even though Gauff hasn’t had a great summer, the hard court is her most loved surface. With a fast serve and a lethal backhand in her repertoire, she will be going all guns blazing to defend her crown. 

TITLE CHALLENGERS

Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina is a strong contender with an outside chance to win the whole thing. She has one of the best serves on the Women’s Tour and is a hard-hitting aggressive player with a very calm demeanour.

Having reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and won three WTA titles this year, Rybakina has every chance to win her second Grand Slam title at the 2024 US Open.

Jasmine Paolini

Italy’s No. 1 Jasmine Paolini has had a dream year so far. Not only did she reach two Grand Slam finals (French Open and Wimbledon), she also won the Women’s Doubles gold with Sara Errani at the recently-concluded Paris Olympics.

Paolini is a feisty and energetic player who has just started to gain momentum and consistency. It may turn out to be a case of “third time lucky” for her first at the 2024 US Open. 

SURPRISE ELEMENTS

Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula has home advantage at the US Open. She has been performing well at the Slams recently and also made it to the Cincinnati Open finals. She seems to be in great form and can upset any higher-ranked player on her day. It will be interesting to watch Pegula play at the 2024 US Open.

Qinwen Zheng

China’s Qinwen Zheng is another player in the women’s draw who can surprise a few people. She won an Olympic gold in the Women’s Singles at the recently-concluded Paris Olympics, beating World No. 1 Iga Swiatek on her way to the finals. Zheng also made it to the Australian Open finals this year, proving her effectiveness on the hard courts.  

Madison Keys

Another American tennis star who loves to play on the hard courts, Madison Keys had a great run at the US Open last year when she reached the semi-finals only to lose a tough match to Aryna Sabalenka.

An aggressive baseline player with a decent first serve as well as a smashing forehand, Keys will definitely be hoping for some home-crowd support to make it even further at the US Open this time round.

Donna Vekic

The 28-year-old Croatian has been in the form of her life this year. Not only did she make her best-ever Grand Slam appearance by reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals, she also won her country an Olympic silver medal at Paris 2024.

Vekic has a special affinity with the hard courts and can very well cause a huge upset at the US Open.