3 minute read
Penpix of leading women's US Open contenders for the season's final tennis major starting on Tuesday AEST.
HOW THE LEADING WOMEN'S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE US OPEN STARTING ON TUESDAY (AEST):
ASH BARTY (AUS)
Age: 25
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US21,359,751
Career titles: 13
Grand slam titles: 2 (French Open 2019; Wimbledon 2021)
US Open win-loss record: 9-5
Best US Open results: fourth round 2018, 2019
With a tour-best five titles from six finals and 40 match wins this season, including 15 from her past 16 completed outings, Australia's world No.1 is unquestionably the biggest threat to defending champion Naomi Osaka, who has endured an erratic build-up.
ARYNA SABALENKA (BLR)
Age: 23
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,794,013
Career titles: 10
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 5-3
Best US Open result: fourth round 2018
The big-hitting Belarusian is riding high at a career-best ranking after enjoying a breakout two-title season and first-time foray to a grand slam semi-final at the All England Club last month. Has yet to deliver on New York's hardcourts but is seeded to make the title match.
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 23
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US19,896,456
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 4 (Australian Open 2019, 2021; US Open 2018, 2020)
US Open win-loss record: 21-3
Best US Open results: champion 2018, 2020
Her four majors have all come on hardcourts but it's hard to predict how the Japanese superstar will fare in her first grand slam since sitting out Wimbledon and withdrawing from the French Open for a mental health break. Flopped in Tokyo after lighting the Olympic torch and won only one match in Cincinnati.
KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)
Age: 29
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US22,463,404
Career titles: 16
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 20-8
Best US Open result: finalist 2016
The former runner-up returns to Flushing Meadows full of belief and confidence after going three sets with Barty in the Wimbledon final and reaching a third title match of the year, all on different surfaces, in Montreal. The power-serving Czech should also benefit from the faster courts in New York.
BELINDA BENCIC (SUI)
Age: 24
Ranking: 12
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,834,371
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 12-5
Best US Open result: semi-finalist 2019
No one has more hardcourt wins under their belt this northern summer, with the one-time world No.4 dedicating her Olympic gold medal in Tokyo to Swiss legends Roger Federer and Martina Hingis. Classy enough to join the pair as a winner in New York after reaching the last four on her most recent visit two years ago.
BARBORA KREJCIKOVA (CZE)
Age: 25
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,770,262
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2021)
US Open win-loss record: 0-0
Best US Open result: never played before
The one-time doubles specialist will be making her main-draw singles debut in New York after enjoying an extraordinary 2021 featuring Roland Garros glory, three titles and 39 match wins. Only Barty and Bencic have beaten the Czech revelation since April.
BEST OUTSIDER
COCO GAUFF (USA)
Age: 17
Ranking: 23
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US2,136,373
Career titles: 2
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 2-2
Best US Open result: third round 2019
The teenager has confirmed herself as a genuine grand-slam contender with a series of second-week forays at the majors and emulating Serena Williams' title success as a 17-year-old at Flushing Meadows in 1999 isn't out of the question.
