The US Open is set to get underway on Sunday, August 24th, with British tennis fans eagerly anticipating the performances of their home-grown stars.
While Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are widely considered the two global favourites to take the men’s crown, the British contingent is full of promise.
Sinner, now the world No. 1, has had an impressive hard-court season, most recently winning Wimbledon. Alcaraz has also shown strong form, including reaching the final of the French Open and winning the Cincinnati Open earlier this year.
However, for a home crowd, the focus will be on rising British No. 1 Jack Draper, who has climbed the rankings and made a deep run here last year. On the women’s side, all eyes will be on Emma Raducanu, who famously won the title in 2021 and has been showing glimpses of her best form in the lead-up to the tournament.
As a result, there are plenty of intriguing things to predict ahead of the US Open, and our writers have shared what they think is going to happen.
Who do you think will win? (ATP & WTA)
Liam Llewellyn: There are several names in the running for the US Open title. Novak Djokovic can never be counted out as he pursues a record 25th Grand Slam title, and Carlos Alcaraz’s Cincinnati Open title win will boost his confidence.
But Jannik Sinner is the defending champion at the US Open, and he has just one hard court defeat since the 2024 Canadian Open. He retired from the Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz due to illness, which is a cause for concern. But if Sinner is healthy, he is set to defend his title and win his fifth Grand Slam title.
Max Kilham: Jannik Sinner. Despite his recent struggles with illness, there is no one better on hard courts. Iga Swiatek. She has lost just one match in her last 16.
Callum Davies: Whilst Jannik Sinner will be the obvious favourite, with Carlos Alcaraz close behind, I genuinely believe that this tournament could be the one where Jack Draper makes his breakthrough and wins the whole thing. He has had an entire summer away from competing to refresh, and looked so lively and determined in just the mixed doubles alone. It might be controversial, but I genuinely think Draper could follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps this year and claim his first Grand Slam title.
Aryna Sabalenka has been the most consistent player in the world this year, yet has no Grand Slam titles to show for it. I think that’ll change in New York. She is the defending champion, and on hard courts remains near-unstoppable. A player of her quality simply can’t go an entire year without a major. She will show up when it matters most.
A big name who could flop?
Liam Llewellyn: Alexander Zverev has struggled at the Grand Slams since reaching the Australian Open final. The German was overwhelmed by Sinner and he has not had a strong enough run of results to suggest he can defeat them at the US Open.
Furthermore, he appeared to be carrying an injury against Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open semifinals. Therefore, inconsistent form and fitness issues will lead to an early exit for Zverev at the US Open.
Max Kilham: Lorenzo Musetti. He has had a torrid time on hard courts so far this season. I have a feeling Emma Navarro will exit early.
Callum Davies: Daniil Medvedev, as a former US Open champion, is almost expected to flop this year given his Grand Slam results. That trend shows no signs of halting in New York this year.
How far do you think Jack Draper will go?
Liam Llewellyn: Jack Draper has not played a singles match since losing in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships in early July.
Therefore, a question mark surrounding his fitness remains, and his draw could determine how far he could go.
Draper will reach the second week at the US Open, but it may be tough to progress beyond the US Open quarterfinals this season.
Max Kilham: Quarter-finals. He will be fit and firing but will fall short of the semi-final stage.
Callum Davies: As noted earlier, I think Jack Draper could win the whole thing if he can breeze through the first few rounds and not rack up any physical debt for the latter stages.
How far do you think Katie Boulter will go?
Liam Llewellyn: Heading into the North American hard court swing, Boulter was on a three-match losing streak before beating Yue Yuan in Cleveland on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old has not progressed beyond the third round at the US Open and with the possibility of a difficult draw looming, Boulter will struggle in New York and will not progress beyond the second or third round.
Max Kilham: First round. She hasn’t been in great form.
Callum Davies: Katie Boulter is a strange commodity in tennis, with all the tools to trouble the sport’s very best. And yet, it always feels like one step forward and two steps back for the Brit.
If the draw is kind, a run to the second week seems more than possible for the 29-year-old. But based on recent form, a second round exit seems far more realistic.
How far do you think Emma Raducanu will go?
Liam Llewellyn: Emma Raducanu’s form has improved since Wimbledon. She reached the Citi Open semifinals and pushed Aryna Sabalenka to the limit at the Cincinnati Open. The British number one is back into the world’s top 35 but she just missed out on being seeded at the US Open.
Her draw will likely be a difficult one, but Raducanu is in familiar surroundings having won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier.
With a stable team behind her and the positive feelings well and truly back, Raducanu will be on for her strongest run at Flushing Meadows since she won the title by reaching at least the fourth round.
Max Kilham: Fourth round. Been in good form but not quite at the top level yet.
Which outsider do you think will do well?
Liam Llewellyn: The Canadian Open finalists Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka will be the two players to watch at the US Open. They are seeded 24 and 25 respectively, and they will be two players the top seeded players will not want to face early.
Mboko will play with nothing to lose and she will enjoy her debut campaign at the US Open, while a resurgent Osaka has won the title twice before.
The Japanese player looks sharp and with a run to the final in Montreal, Osaka has regained some confidence and belief that she can win the big titles, which serves as a warning for the rest of the field.
Max Kilham: Hamad Medjedovic, the 2024 Next Gen tournament winner and Belinda Bencic. Performed well at Wimbledon and has a history of success at the US Open (former semi-finalist).
Callum Davies: Anna Kalinskaya has snuck into a seeded spot for this year’s US Open, and has enjoyed impressive runs in Washington and Cincinnati. Watch out for her to cause an upset or two on the biggest stage in North American tennis.
