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Who will take the title within the wide-open ladies’s area? Can Rafael Nadal discover a option to win regardless of harm? Or will Daniil Medvedev defend his crown? And will Serena Williams defy the chances in her last Grand Slam?
Our consultants try and reply these questions and make their very own predictions because the 2022 US Open kicks off on Monday.
Table of Contents
Who will win the ladies’s singles title, and why?
Luke Jensen: Coco Gauff is my choose. I’ve been impressed with how she has developed her on-court expertise together with dealing with off-court distractions. She has been to 2 main finals in doubles that has her sitting at No. 1 on the earth, and a singles last at Roland Garros that exhibits she will be able to compete for seven singles matches over two weeks. With a powerhouse serve constantly within the 120-mph vary and foot pace to cowl all areas of the tennis planet, I’ve large confidence within the American teenager.
Pam Shriver: Caroline Garcia can win, as a result of, since profitable the Roland Garros doubles title in early June, she has received three singles tournaments on three completely different surfaces, together with a win over No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Garcia’s aggressive recreation is ideal for the US Open courts. She is attacking weak serves constantly, and has nice perception in her all-court recreation.
Cliff Drysdale: Swiatek. She received the 2 greatest hardcourt occasions, Indian Wells and Miami. She must get again to her floor recreation consistency to do it.
Tom Hamilton: Regardless of withdrawing from Cincinnati with a thigh harm, I am going for Simona Halep. If she’s absolutely recovered, then she’ll carry her type from Toronto into the US Open, and following the draw, she ought to have the ability to ease herself again in over the opening three rounds. A possible match-up with Gauff within the fourth spherical could be a box-office match. Then she may face Maria Sakkari within the quarters, however Halep is in type, and I really feel may go all the best way.
Invoice Connelly: The ladies’s recreation has been large open lately, and we’re getting used to heading right into a Slam figuring out that, at any given time, 15-20 gamers have the sport to make an enormous run. (And as final 12 months’s US Open confirmed us, we do not even know the names of all of these 15-20 upfront.) However this is perhaps probably the most wide-open Slam I can bear in mind. So most of the names we have been rising to belief probably the most have hit some bumps in the summertime hardcourt tour — Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Paula Badosa and Sakkari misplaced 11 of 18 matches between them — and the once-dominant Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams misplaced 5 of seven. It looks like Jessica Pegula has been about as constant as anybody, and she or he’s solely gone 6-3 since Wimbledon.
Regardless of the tough draw and up to date withdrawal, I am agreeing with Tom and going with Halep. She took down Pegula and Gauff in Toronto, and she or he’s enjoying vivid and optimistic tennis. And never together with three walkovers/retirements (that are actually a priority), she’s 19-2 since Roland Garros.
D’Arcy Maine: This draw feels so large open, it is exhausting to really feel assured with a prediction right here. There’s nearly as good an opportunity as any for somebody beneath the radar to take dwelling the title, however for now, I am going to play it barely protected and agree with Tom and Invoice. Halep’s run in Toronto was spectacular, towards a slew of high quality opponents. She has already received the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon in 2019, so if she’s in a position to keep wholesome, she actually may full the elusive profession Floor Slam in New York.
Aishwarya Kumar: She’s had just a little little bit of a tough patch since Wimbledon, however I am nonetheless going to go together with Jabeur. She made it to the ultimate of Wimbledon, turning into the primary African or Arab participant to achieve the ultimate of a Grand Slam within the Open period. She earned her career-high rating of No. 2 in June after profitable the Madrid Open. Her recreation is flexible — she slices, she serves huge and she or he likes to volley. She can be on Serena Williams’ half of the courtroom, and would face No. 2 seed Kontaveit or maybe, Williams, solely within the quarterfinals, giving her sufficient time to get again to her A-game.
Ohm Youngmisuk: As final 12 months’s all-teen sensation last between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez confirmed, anybody can get scorching and are available out of the ladies’s facet, regardless of how younger or inexperienced. There are many contenders, however one thing tells me to go together with expertise this Open. That’s the reason I’m leaning towards Halep.
She just lately returned to the highest 10 for the primary time in a 12 months following her win in Toronto. She hasn’t made it to the US Open last earlier than and hasn’t made the quarters right here since 2016. However she ought to enter with confidence after Toronto and her semifinal exhibiting at Wimbledon. Halep might must undergo Gauff and Sakkari to get to a doable semifinal showdown with both Kontaveit or Jabeur. Robust street to the ultimate however nothing not possible.
Who will win the lads’s singles title, and why?
Jensen: I am rockin’ with American Taylor Fritz. A winner in Indian Wells earlier this spring and an excellent run to the quarters of Wimbledon, Taylor has the attention of the tiger proper now. Confidence is mission important when strolling on these huge phases, and if Fritz serves successfully he can maintain the Tiffany trophy on the finish.
Shriver: Daniil Medvedev will defend his title, as a result of his model is ideal for exhausting courts and his success on the US Open the previous couple of years makes him really feel assured and comfy. Medvedev stands to realize probably the most by Novak Djokovic‘s absence.
Drysdale: Carlos Alcaraz. It was his popping out social gathering final 12 months, and robust constant outcomes have adopted, with a 12 months of studying experiences.
Maine: I am unable to resist, I am going with Nick Kyrgios. His run at Wimbledon proved to the world, and maybe extra essential, himself, that he was able to reaching a Grand Slam last. Since then, he received the title on the Citi Open, as effectively the doubles title there and in Atlanta, and got here again after dropping the primary set to defeat Medvedev in Toronto and enhance to 3-1 towards the present world No. 1. The 2 may probably meet within the fourth spherical, however momentum appears very a lot on Kyrgios’ facet.
Kyrgios regarded considerably drained in Cincinnati final week, and admitted his “tank [is] attending to the tip” for the season, however Kyrgios thrives on the large stage with a crowd and, effectively, that’s sort of excellent for the US Open.
Hamilton: With Djokovic absent, the match is there for Nadal to finish the 12 months like he began it. Although Medvedev heads in as prime seed, if Nadal can keep match — after he was pressured to withdraw from Wimbledon with an belly harm — then his favorable draw means he’ll have the ability to play his approach into type. That is what he did in each Melbourne and Paris and ended victorious there, and the attract New York means it may very well be the quarterfinal when he’ll meet his first top-10 seeded participant.
Connelly: I am going with Medvedev. He was so very, very near taking down Nadal in Australia, and whereas he has misplaced three-setters to Stefanos Tsitsipas and Kyrgios just lately, he appears to be at his greatest in New York — he is 18-2 there over the past three US Opens — and he is probably the most constantly robust hardcourter within the match.
Kumar: I am choosing Alcaraz. He’s a once-in-a-generation sort of a participant, and as we come nearer to watching the Large 4 say goodbye to tennis, I’ve been excited to observe his unbelievable expertise and his rise. He received his first ATP 500 title on the Rio Open in February and adopted it up with two Masters 1000s wins and one other ATP 500 win on the Miami Open, Madrid Open and Barcelona Open. He’s in Nadal’s half of the match — and he already has expertise with beating the 22-time Grand Slam champion (he turned the primary teenager to beat Nadal on clay on the Madrid Open). Age, confidence and up to date success are all with him as he begins his journey at Flushing Meadows.
Youngmisuk: He might must get previous Hubert Hurkacz or Jannik Sinner and/or Borna Coric to get into the semis the place Nadal may very well be ready, however Alcaraz’s Grand Slam time is coming. He has the large star recreation, unbelievable poise for a teenager and rising confidence to win this Open. And if all that is not sufficient, he will probably be a crowd favourite after his quarterfinal exhibiting final 12 months. If Alcaraz will get via to the semis — and he might must discover a option to get previous Sinner, who beat him at Wimbledon and within the last at Croatia — his potential showdown with Nadal may very well be a pivotal second in males’s tennis. If he faces Nadal, it should really feel like a last. And that may very well be the one huge hurdle Alcaraz has to go with a purpose to win his first slam.
Which participant may shock right here?
Jensen: Coco Vandeweghe … yeah the OG Coco. Semifinals in singles on the US Open 2017 and has a US Open doubles title with Ash Barty. I am teaching her, so she has to beat that! I actually imagine in her. She is coming off an superior summer time, profitable the double on the WTA Harmony occasion in singles and doubles. On the best way she beat Tauson, Wang and Pera who had a 16-match profitable streak. Clutch Vandeweghe misplaced a really shut first spherical match at Wimbledon to Rybakina who ended up profitable the title.
On the lads’s facet I like Tommy Paul. The child is sneaky good and performs together with his thoughts greater than anybody I do know. Good gamers get the very most of their means, and Tommy brings the brains to the large strain factors.
Shriver: Shelby Rogers may very well be this 12 months’s shock. She has had some memorable comebacks lately over Ashleigh Barty, and a number of match factors right down to Kvitova but pulled off one other upset. Rogers’ serve plus one recreation loves the situations on the Open. She is a crowd favourite with a terrific hardcourt recreation. Additionally her seed (31) is my present fortunate quantity.
Fritz is able to make a run and attempt to finish the 19-year main drought by U.S. males. Fritz has grown rather a lot in perception since final 12 months’s Open by profitable Indian Wells and being near a Wimbledon semifinal, so he is aware of what it takes to problem for a serious within the second week. His SoCal recreation is Taylor-made (pun meant) for exhausting courts. All the opposite up-and-coming US males are pushing one another to raised outcomes. It is time for US male success at a serious once more.
Drysdale: Sinner may shock. His recreation combines energy and management. Not like some energy servers, his floor recreation is rock stable. It is a deadly mixture.
Hamilton: Coric has the run of type to make a dent on this 12 months’s match, however his draw means he’ll be up towards Alcaraz within the third spherical. Control Coric — who swept all earlier than him in Cincinnati. For an additional outsider, take a look at Jack Draper. The younger Brit is enjoying brilliantly and knocked over Tsitsipas within the Canadian Open. He additionally has a latest win over Dominic Thiem, so title and fame are clearly no barrier for him. The draw is hard for him, nevertheless, with Emil Ruusuvuori first up and a possible assembly with Felix Auger-Aliassime within the second spherical.
Connelly: On the ladies’s facet, I do not even know what would qualify as a shock at this level. You might discuss me into so many alternative gamers making an enormous run. However let’s throw some love towards Bianca Andreescu right here. She has proven hints of type on a wide range of surfaces in latest months, and whereas she has a tough draw — she may play Toronto finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia within the second spherical and Cincinnati winner Garcia within the third — that can both imply an early exit or an excessive enhance of confidence. The 2019 US Open champ is at her greatest in New York, and if she pulls a few early upsets, we’ll act like we noticed it coming all alongside.
On the lads’s facet, give me Seb Korda. He regarded good in each Washington and Cincinnati, and he beat potential second-round opponent Tommy Paul of their solely ATP assembly. It has been a grind of a 12 months for the 22-year-old, however he has the instruments to compete with nearly anybody.
Maine: I am with Invoice right here. Is there such a factor as a shock on the ladies’s facet on the US Open? 5 of the earlier seven ladies’s champions have been first-time main winners and it is perhaps a good greater shock if a extra veteran participant, like Halep or Swiatek, have been to win right here at this level. But it surely’s enjoyable to consider which ladies may have a breakthrough in New York, and I am maintaining an extra-close eye on Daria Kasatkina, Garcia and Individuals Pegula and — await it — Rogers. The 29-year-old Rogers is enjoying a few of the greatest tennis of her profession recently. She reached the ultimate on the Silicon Valley Basic and climbed to a career-high rating in consequence. She additionally proved she is able to beating anybody on the most important stage final 12 months when she defeated then-No. 1 Ashleigh Barty within the third spherical on Arthur Ashe.
Kumar: I will put all my eggs within the Ben Shelton basket. A 19-year-old Florida native, Shelton introduced that he’s going professional every week earlier than the US Open, after success on the ATP tour. He’s coming off of an enormous win towards Casper Ruud in Cincinnati, after profitable his first APT match early on in the summertime in Atlanta towards India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan. That is after he received the 2022 NCAA males’s singles championship and helped Florida win the group championship the 12 months earlier than.
He’s tremendous athletic, has an enormous serve and he does not get scared to stand up to the online. And two different enjoyable details: Shelton has by no means left the U.S. to go play tennis abroad! And, he’s the son of former American tennis participant Bryan Smith (who was ranked No. 55 on the earth).
Youngmisuk: Coric is available in off a dream run in Cincinnati. There he beat the likes of Nadal, Roberto Bautista Agut, Auger-Aliassime, Cameron Norrie and Tsitsipas. He received all his matches there in straights outdoors of his three-setter over Nadal. Coming into that match at 152, Coric turned the lowest-ranked participant to win a Masters 1000 title. In fact, Coric is making a comeback after reaching No. 12 on the earth earlier than lacking a lot of 2021 with a shoulder harm. He might must beat Alcaraz within the third spherical but when he does, Coric’s run will solely get hotter.
How do you suppose Serena Williams will fare right here?
Jensen: I’m actually impressed with what Coach Stubbsy (Rennae Stubbs, additionally an ESPN tennis analyst) is doing with Williams. A great deal of apply units with varied kinds of play. Stubbsy is a superb tactician and recreation planner. Placing this sort of tennis thoughts into the Williams machine will probably be extraordinary! I see her making a deep run!
Shriver: Williams may lose within the first spherical or struggle her approach into week two. Clearly her summer time type has not been robust, however she is working exhausting to have some wins in her final match. Sadly, her vary and skill to cowl the courtroom is restricted by age and accidents, however Williams nonetheless has the ability and serve to win matches. I want No. 24 could be doable, however I do not see it occurring. Williams will proceed to evolve, and bravo on a GOAT profession.
Drysdale: Everyone seems to be pulling for a Williams miracle. She has completed it earlier than. However the strain and lack of match play make a deep run unlikely, even with a pleasant draw.
Maine: Regardless of her age, restricted latest schedule and lackluster leads to Toronto and Cincinnati, we’re nonetheless speaking about SERENA WILLIAMS — insert a GOAT emoji right here — and nobody has received extra US Open singles titles than she has. Williams spoke to Meghan Markle on her just lately launched podcast concerning the feelings she was anticipating when strolling onto the courtroom on the US Open figuring out it may very well be her final match ever, and it is clear these emotions are going to be robust to cope with and probably a much bigger hurdle than any opponent she may face. Whereas it might be a tremendous story if she may win a record-tying twenty fourth main title in New York, it is exhausting to see her getting out of the primary week.
Hamilton: It is a fiercely difficult opener towards Danka Kovinic, and it will take one monumental effort from Williams to get via it. But when anybody can, she will be able to. It may be a tough balancing act for her of the blending emotion of what seems prone to be her final Grand Slam and that unbelievable aggressive hearth in her as she seems for one final run in a Main.
Connelly: She deserves one final nice run, and she or he goes to have the gang behind her. Her first-round opponent (Kovinic) is 6-9 all-time in hardcourt Slams, and her doubtless second-round opponent (Kontaveit) does not have a No. 2 seed’s observe document in Slams. The desk is ready for not less than a few superior wins, however until she rediscovers her second serve, it is exhausting to really feel assured that she’ll get a couple of.
Kumar: By no means rule her out, proper? I feel it is realistically going to be tough. The 27-year-old from Montenegro, Kovinic, has had some huge wins this 12 months. She turned the primary participant from Montenegro to achieve the third spherical of a Grand Slam with wins over US Open champion Raducanu and former world No. 1 Halep. She additionally beat Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova and Jabeur this 12 months.
However, let’s not overlook that Kovinic is enjoying Williams at her dwelling slam, and she is going to doubtless play in entrance of the most important crowd of her profession. I can think about Williams powering via the primary spherical, wherein case she would probably face the No. 2 seed Kontaveit. And, it should solely get harder from that time on.
Youngmisuk: Williams could also be prepared for retirement, however the New York crowd will do every little thing in its energy to not let her go quietly. Her first-rounder on Monday evening may very well be difficult however nobody has been higher beneath the lights on the Open. Williams has 44 evening match wins on the Open, probably the most since 1980. Roger Federer is second with 36. Williams is 20-0 in opening matches on the Open. I count on New York and the gang to get her to 21-0. After that, although, it’s exhausting seeing Serena getting previous Kontaveit. Maybe Williams has one magical Jimmy Connors-like run in her with the gang getting what they got here for. For nevertheless lengthy this lasts, take pleasure in each single level.
Can Rafael Nadal attain Grand Slam No. 23 on the US Open?
Jensen: He has received right here earlier than however I do not belief any participant getting back from an belly problem. Nadal has been very quiet concerning the harm from Wimbledon and he is not likely exhibiting something in his apply periods … If he’s 100% I can see him profitable main quantity 23!
Shriver: Nadal has proved this 12 months greater than ever that something is feasible at a serious, however I really feel that the foot harm and belly pressure make it unlikely he’ll attain 23 right here. Having mentioned that, I by no means imagined he would attain 21 at this 12 months’s Australian Open given he missed many of the second half of 2021 with the foot harm and a December bout with COVID. Whereas Nadal is an unlikely winner, it makes me uneasy to say it, as a result of he has completed the unbelievable so many occasions.
Drysdale: Nadal has nearly as good a shot on the title as anybody. With Alcaraz in his half, it helps his possibilities.
Hamilton: Completely. I picked him earlier and I am going to stand by that right here. Nadal has extra Grand Slam expertise this 12 months than his nearest rival Medvedev, and with out Djokovic within the area, the Spaniard can 100% win the US Open. A lot will rely on how his physique holds up. Whereas the foot is seemingly behaving itself after the process post-Paris, it waits to be seen how his belly copes. But when anybody can play via ache, it is Nadal and he’ll be determined so as to add a fifth US Open title to his assortment.
Connelly: There’s completely little question that he can. He has come again from too many accidents, and he has received too many best-of-five grinds to ever depend him out. I would not name him the favourite, although. I do suppose that is Medvedev’s match to lose, and Alcaraz ought to be a severe risk. But when he wins all of it, it would not be even barely stunning.
Maine: I actually love everybody’s optimism right here and agree that he can, I am simply undecided that he’ll. Nadal has performed only one match — a loss towards Coric final week in Cincinnati — since having to retire forward of his semifinal match at Wimbledon. And that efficiency wasn’t overly convincing that he’s able to win seven straight matches. His well being stays the most important query mark and it is unclear if he’ll have the ability to maintain the extent he wants on the hardcourt to take dwelling the trophy.
To not point out, he’ll have some robust opposition en route. He may probably face No. 14 seed Diego Schwartzman within the fourth spherical, No. 7 seed Norrie within the quarters and No. 3 seed (and 2021 US Open breakout star) Alcaraz within the semifinals. However, with all that mentioned, if anybody can defeat the chances and discover some additional late-season magic, it is Nadal. So depend me in as a stable perhaps.
Kumar: Unquestionably! With Djokovic out of competition, and with Nadal positioned in a much more straight-forward half of the draw, that is Nadal’s match to lose. The one two issues in his path: Fellow Spaniard Alcaraz, who has had a breakthrough season with Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Barcelona, and rose to a career-high No. 4 in rankings. The second factor: his well being. Nadal must work actually exhausting to remain wholesome all through the match, specializing in ensuring he does not play three-plus hour matches within the first week of the match.
Youngmisuk: Vamos! In fact, Nadal can win this Open. As all the time, it is about his well being holding up. With no Djokovic to cope with right here, Nadal is a good larger risk. There are some well-known names Nadal might must get by however from a seed perspective, it is a good draw to the semifinals the place he may face the longer term in Alcaraz. If he is feeling robust late within the match, it is exhausting envisioning Nadal wilting beneath the strain of creating historical past right here — like Djokovic did final 12 months — and never profitable his twenty third main, which might match Williams’ mark for many main titles within the Open Period.
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