![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01m13362gsj432ev58wr.jpg\" "\\"Jessica")
<\/p>\n
Jessica Pegula advanced to the 2024 U.S. Open final. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
4. Coco Gauff<\/p>\n
A year ago, her career was in disarray, and a biomechanics specialist was brought in to improve her technique. Today? Fresh off a Cincinnati title\u2014and fresh off a sniff at the basket at Wimbledon\u2014she is our favorite to win it all, complementing her 2023 title. Note, too, her absence from the mixed doubles event and other festivities. She is here for trophies, not appearances and content.<\/p>\n
5. Mirra Andreeva<\/p>\n
She has already bagged one major, breaking through in Paris, but has not made much noise since. Can she re-enter the chat in New York?\u00a0<\/p>\n
6. Linda Noskov\u00e1<\/p>\n
The winner of the previous major is in the top 10 and is still only 21 years old. She was unremarkable in both Canada and Cincinnati, but the knowledge that she can win seven matches counts for a lot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
7. Karolina Muchov\u00e1<\/p>\n
Czech and Czech. Now 30 and a Wimbledon finalist, Muchov\u00e1 tends to perform well in New York. As ever, health is a lingering question, especially considering she hasn\u2019t played since Wimbledon. Watch her if you can. She has a lot of variety and little preparation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
8. Iga \u015awi\u0105tek<\/p>\n
The U.S. Open champion four years ago\u2014can that be right?\u2014\u015awi\u0105tek has come alive on the North American hard courts. You worry about her form\u2014and self-confidence\u2014eroding in tight moments, but a champion is a champion.<\/p>\n
9. Elina Svitolina<\/p>\n
A former U.S. Open semifinalist, Svitolina continues to persist in an admirable career. Svitolina is still inside the top 10 as a mother, wife, Ukrainian icon and 31-year-old. But does she have the health and consistency to string together two weeks of stand-out tennis?\u00a0<\/p>\n
10. Amanda Anisimova<\/p>\n
Come for the reactions and gesticulations, stay for the tennis. A U.S. Open finalist last year, her results have played hide-and-seek in 2026. Her easy power, especially on the backhand, remains something to behold. Same for the self-flagellation when matches do not go her way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11. Marta Kostyuk<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a breakthrough season for the Ukrainian, who is a veteran yet only 24 years old. Kostyuk has advanced to two consecutive major semifinals, but put on fairly vacant performances once she got there. The next step in her evolution could come in New York, and hard courts suit her game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12. Belinda Bencic<\/p>\n
Another solid year for a player who, like Pegula, does everything well and professionally, and nothing overwhelmingly. Bencic is a former semifinalist in New York, but remains vulnerable to simply getting outhit.<\/p>\n
13. Naomi Osaka<\/p>\n
Osaka is an absolutely mystifying player. A seeded wild card, she could win the tournament, as she, of course, has done not once but twice before. She isn\u2019t just capable of beating anyone on a given day, but can overwhelm anyone on a given day. Yet, she still seeks her first title of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
14. Iva Jovic<\/p>\n
Only 18 years old, Jovic is ascending at warp speed. Her momentum has slowed on the North American hard courts, including a rough 6\u20137, 6\u20137 loss in Cincinnati. The Californian will be buoyed by a partisan crowd and a kind draw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
15. Diana Shnaider<\/p>\n
She is already a top-flight player and is only 22 years old. A tricky lefty who enjoys playing the best. Her wins this year include Sabalenka, Keys and Pegula. However, she is susceptible to bad days when she simply cannot find the range.\u00a0<\/p>\n
16. Sorana C\u00eerstea<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old announced her plans to retire at the end of the season and went on to have a prosperous year. Most recently, she fell to Pegula in three sets after advancing to the Round of 16 in Cincinnati.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeds 17\u201332<\/p>\n
Alexandra Eala: Note the size of the court for her scheduling. She has loads of fans\u2014yes, Filipinos\u2014but also tennis fans at large, enthusiastic about a player on the rise.<\/p>\n
Maja Chwali\u0144ska: Her ranking is swollen by her run to the Roland Garros final, and she is playing for the first time as a seed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madison Keys: The former U.S. Open finalist (and a hard-court major winner within the past 20 months) still has the sheer brute force to hit through seven opponents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leylah Fernandez: Another former U.S. Open finalist, she is only 23 and not a threat to win the event. However, she is making a nice living as a dangerous, pesky lefty capable of beating anyone on a given day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
S\u00e1ra Bejlek: Because Czech tennis needs new young talent on the women\u2019s side (joke), here comes a 20-year-old fresh off a semifinal run in Cincinnati.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dark horse pasture<\/p>\n
Nikola Bart\u016f\u0148kov\u00e1: These Czechs, they just keep coming.<\/p>\n
Liudmila Samsonova: She\u2019s athletic and too good (and dangerous) to be ranked this low.<\/p>\n
Kate\u0159ina Siniakov\u00e1: Apart from the doubles excellence, she might be the most underrated singles player in tennis. (Spoiler: Tennis Channel piece coming during Week 1.)<\/p>\n
Lilli Tagger: She is a player to watch not just for the one-handed backhand. She\u2019s only 18 and already won a title this summer.<\/p>\n
Ashlyn Krueger: She is still growing into her game.<\/p>\n
Alycia Parks: Is there a better pure serve in women\u2019s tennis? If so, not many.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paula Badosa: A former top-five player, her biggest challenge is staying healthy. However, when she is in form, look out. (This year alone, she has a win over Gauff.)<\/p>\n
First round matches to watchVenus Williams vs. Sofia Kenin: Venus has a shot \u2026 Sloane Stephens vs. Clara TausonUpset special\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taylor Townsend d. Chwali\u0144ska<\/p>\n
Doubles winner<\/p>\n
Townsend and Siniakov\u00e1<\/p>\n
Semifinals<\/p>\n
Pegula d. Kostyuk
Gauff d. Osaka<\/p>\n
Final<\/p>\n
Gauff d. Pegula<\/p>\n
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