3 minute read
How the leading women's US Open contenders and best Australian hope shape up ahead of the New York grand slam.
HOW THE LEADING WOMEN SHAPE UP FOR THE US OPEN
KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)
Age: 28
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US19,997,689
Career titles: 16
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 19-7
Best US Open result: runner-up 2016
The power-serving Czech has been elevated to top seed at a major for the first time following the withdrawal of six of the world's best eight players including Australia's No.1 Ashleigh Barty.
SOFIA KENIN (USA)
Age: 21
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,930,775
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 1 (Australian Open 2020)
US Open win-loss record: 6-5
Best US Open results: third round 2017, 2018, 2019
The Australian Open champion is oozing confidence and will fancy her chances of adding a second slam to her CV following her stunning breakthrough in Melbourne.
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 38
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US92,720,122
Career titles: 73
Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
US Open win-loss record: 101-113
Best US Open results: champion 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014; runner-up 2001, 2011, 2018
At 38, the living legend will never get a better chance to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam singles crowns in an utterly depleted draw.
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 22
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US14,617,235
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 2 (2018 US Open; 2019 Australian Open)
US Open win-loss record: 14-3
Best US Open result: champion 2018
The Japanese superstar is seeded fourth and won't face a higher-ranked rival until at least the semi-finals as she bids for a second title in New York in three years.
MADISON KEYS (USA)
Age: 25
Ranking: 13
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US12,357,972
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 22-8
Best US Open result: runner-up 2017
The seventh seed form continually produces her best grand slam tennis on the fast Flushing Meadows surface, where she also made the semi-finals in 2016 before losing the 2017 final to Sloane Stephens.
BEST OUTSIDER
COCO GAUFF (USA)
Age: 16
Ranking: 50
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US812,990
Career titles: 1
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 2-1
Best US Open result: third round 2019
The teenager is already a superstar and a proven grand slam contender, as evidenced by her unforgettable victory over Venus Williams en route to the Wimbledon second week last year.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPE
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC
Age: 27
Ranking: 57
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US3,046,712
Career titles: 0
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 4-6
Best US Open results: second round 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019
With Barty and former champion Samantha Stosur opting out, the 2019 Fed Cup finalist is Australia's best prospect but has a tough opener against three-time major winner Angelique Kerber.
