2024 US Open Women’s Favourites

US Open kick start next week and all eyes will be on Coco Gauff – defending champion – to see if she can be able to replicate the success she enjoyed at the Flushing Meadows last year. The American tennis star will have full backing from the crowd as she is playing on home soil. It won’t be easy as many predict as she is facing tight competition from other ladies. World no 1 Iga Swiatek will want to stamp her status as the best in the game. Let’s take a look at the favourites.

Aryna Sabalenka

One of the consistent performers in the tennis circuit has to be Aryna Sabalenka. In the past three years, Sabalenka has managed to be in the Grand Slam semi-finals 6 times. That is a very incredible record and makes her a favourite when lining up for any Grand Slam. The 26-year-old Belarusian has already claimed a major this year after successfully defending the Australian Open trophy at the beginning of the season. She further reached the French Open quarter-finals losing to Mirra Andreeva after complaining of stomach problems. Now since she has overcome the injury that kept him out of the Wimbledon Open, she clinched the Cincinnati Masters title defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. En route to the final, she outclassed Iga Swiatek in a straight set in the semi-final round and finished the tournament without losing a set. Last year, she came close to winning the title losing to Coco Gauff in the final despite being one set up. 

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff will look at the year and feel that she has done a fantastic job for herself. Two Grand Slam semi-finals (Australian and French Open) show that she is one of the leading tennis players in the whole world. Now she is hoping to end the year high on home soil. The 20-year-old defending champion will have a huge boost playing in front of the home crowd. She has a point to prove that last year’s success wasn’t a fluke. But she has to dig deep to make it happen. There is no doubt that she possesses a great talent, but the pressure of handling big matches comes into the party in most cases which ends up making her make unforced errors. If she can polish that department, she will be a huge threat. 

Iga Swiatek

It would be ridiculous not to include Iga Swiatek among favourites to win the US Open title. Swiatek has dominated the women’s game for the last three years and she is undone. Even though the Polish International has found much success in the French Open where she grabbed four of her five Grand Slam titles. But she has managed to stand on top of the mountain even in Flashing Meadows winning back in 2022. The interesting part is that Swiatek heads into the tournament after a good run in the Cincinnati Masters where she lost in the semi-finals to a winner, Aryna Sabalenka. The time is now for her to show the world what she is made of. 

Jasmine Paolini

At 28, Jasmine Paolini looks like she has finally announced herself in the tennis World. The Italian sensation is playing incredible tennis and has captured the hearts and souls of many across the world. In what has been a groundbreaking year, Paolini has managed to reach two Grand Slams finals. In June, she lost in the French Open title to Iga Swiatek in a straight set that followed up with another similar result in the Wimbledon Open – this time to Barbora Krejcikova. With the US Open next, she is among the favourites to win the title. If that can happen, it will cement them as one if not the greatest years in her career. 

Elena Rybakina

Can she close the year on a high note? Since the beginning of this year, Elena Rybakina has battled with inconsistency which has robbed tennis lovers to witness the great talent to flourish. The 25-year-old starlet will look to build from her Wimbledon Open run where she reached the semi-finals. Known for her powerful serve, Rybakina has seen her season being clouded by injuries that prevented her from competing in the recently concluded Olympic games in Paris. Nevertheless, she is one of the most dangerous players on the court and will be hard to beat. 

BET Contributor

Tims is a CSA accreditated freelance cricket writer who also does cricket commentary for Guerilla Cricket SA and founder of the Full Quota Podcast.