With the US Open 2023 on the horizon, the anticipation is building as tennis fans eagerly await the showdown of some of the most talented female players. Holding the top ranking since then, Swiatek enters this year’s tournament as a favorite, though not without formidable challengers.
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, is hot on her heels, and a handful of other skilled players harbor a realistic shot at seizing the coveted trophy. Let’s take a closer look at our top five picks who could shine in the final fours and potentially emerge as the champion:
Pick 5 – Coco Gauff, seeded 6, the American underdog and crowd favorite at US Open:
Following a first-round exit at Wimbledon, Gauff roared back with an exceptional summer hard-court season, outshining her peers. She secured victories over Belinda Bencic, Samsonova, and Maria Sakkari to clinch the title in Washington, D.C.
👏 COCO 👏 GAUFF 👏
No.7 seed @CocoGauff locks in her first-ever Hologic WTA 1000 singles title!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/we05qZwKQE
— wta (@WTA) August 20, 2023
Gauff’s journey continued as she advanced to the Montreal quarter-finals, gave a spirited performance against eventual champion Pegula, and triumphed over Swiatek and Muchova to seize the crown in the Cincinnati Masters. At a mere 19 years old, Gauff carries her momentum into New York, aiming to capture her first Grand Slam title in her own backyard.
Pick 4 – Elena Rybakina, seeded 4:
Rybakina made a resounding statement during the spring hard-court season, defeating Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Muchova in succession to claim victory in Indian Wells. The 2022 Wimbledon champion’s momentum has slightly waned since then, yet her strong run to the Montreal semi-finals showcases her potential as a favorite.
The moment Elena Rybakina became a Wimbledon champion 👏 #Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/gVCU9oqxx5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2022
Rybakina’s power game is well-suited to the hard courts of the US Open. The runner-up at this year’s Australian Open would definitely like to go one step further at the US Open and clinch the coveted trophy.
Pick 3 – Jessica Pegula, seeded 3:
Pegula arrives at the Open with a renewed sense of confidence, having reached the semifinals in Washington, D.C., and securing the biggest title of her career in Montreal. Her impressive victories over Swiatek, Gauff, and Samsonova underscore her growth.
Jessica Pegula on beating Iga Swiatek in Montreal:
“Oh gosh. It feels great. No better way to earn it, right? It was tough match. I felt like I was in control. But as the world #1 does & a champion, she played some really great tennis.. she made me earn it.”
Respect. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/woahtKmnML
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 12, 2023
This year, the late-blooming 29-year-old Pegula achieved notable milestones, reaching the final in Doha and the semifinals in Dubai, Charleston, and Miami. Pegula’s next aspiration is to advance to her first Grand Slam semifinal, after six previous quarterfinal appearances.
Pick 2 – Aryna Sabalenka, seeded 2:
While Swiatek holds the world No. 1 title, Sabalenka leads the 2023 WTA singles race. Her triumph at the Australian Open, along with victories in Brisbane and Madrid, underpins her strong showing.
This is your moment, @SabalenkaA 🙌#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/EI91Y0NLIQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2023
Sabalenka’s high-energy style can be both spectacular and erratic, but when she’s on her game, she’s unmatched. Notably, she reached the final four at Flushing Meadows in the last two years.
Pick 1 – Iga Swiatek, seeded 1:
Swiatek’s mastery of clay is unquestionable, yet she’s demonstrated her prowess on hard courts over the past year. Following her 2022 US Open win, Swiatek clinched titles on concrete in Doha, Dubai, and Warsaw.
OMG🤩🗽@usopen pic.twitter.com/3JuX2rRNVO
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) September 10, 2022
Her consistency extends to deep runs in Indian Wells, Montreal, and Cincinnati. As the best defender on tour and the world No. 1, Swiatek’s psychological edge is palpable, having held the top spot since April 2022.
Predictions for US Open 2023 Women’s Singles final fours and champion:
Our projection for the final fours leading to the eventual women’s champion at the US Open 2023 is as follows:
First semi-finals: Iga Swiatek/Coco Gauff vs. Elena Rybakina
Second semi-finals: Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka
Finalists: Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka
Champion: Iga Swiatek
Swiatek enters the US Open eager to defend her title and reinforce her No. 1 status. Sabalenka, on the other hand, seeks to mark the year with another Major victory.
Ultimately, Swiatek’s blend of resilience, speed, and precision may be the recipe to counter Sabalenka’s power play. It makes for a thrilling showdown between these two tennis icons.