Unseeded
players like Leylah Fernandez, Gael Monfils, and Sloane Stephens will be
seeking their opportunity to go far in the 2023 US Open.
The fourth
Grand Slam of the year is one where surprises prevail, often leaving logic and
rankings aside. Let's take a look at some of the players who could make waves
in each quadrant of the tournament.
In the
women's category, we've witnessed unexpected outcomes in recent years, such as
trophies earned by Andreescu, Osaka, Pennetta, and Raducanu. In the first
quadrant, former Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins stands out.
She is
making her return to the Tour after a few intermittent months. The American
reached the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open, coming through the qualifiers
and defeating Svitolina, Sakkari, and Fernandez along the way. She was narrowly
defeated by Swiatek, pushing the world No. 1 to a three-set duel.
The second
quadrant features former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who will debut
against the 19th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. Competing at home and in the place
where she secured her lone Grand Slam title, the former world No. 3 arrives
with good momentum in North America.
In the
third quadrant, another fan favorite, the 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez,
emerges. Despite her decline in the rankings, she has the potential to showcase
her best tennis at the US Open.
She faces
the 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the opening round, although the Russian
has never advanced past the second round at Flushing Meadows in six attempts.
Finally,
another Grand Slam champion could be the dark horse of the tournament. Sofia
Kenin, a crowd favorite, has demonstrated her ability to defeat the best, as
evidenced by her victory over Coco Gauff in the first round of Wimbledon a few
weeks ago.
On the
men's side, this Slam has eluded the Big-3 the most, and intriguing players
could spring surprises. One such player is Thanasi Kokkinakis, a great talent
who has yet to fully break through. In Cincinnati, he came close to eliminating
Hubert Hurkacz and has proven his stamina for five-set matches.
In the
second quadrant, the surprising Gael Monfils is poised to cause a stir despite
being ranked world No. 163. After performing exceptionally well in Canada and
Cincinnati, he fell to Jaannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
However, he
secured significant victories against Eubanks, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Cameron
Norrie, and Alex de Minaur.
Local
player Ben Shelton could also be one to watch, as the home crowd could provide
him with renewed energy, possibly allowing him to replicate his astonishing
campaign from the 2023 Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals.
Lastly,
Milos Raonic aims to improve his record at the US Open and return to victory.
The Canadian hasn't participated in the tournament since 2020, but in recent
months, he has regained impressive form, potentially setting the stage for a
surprise if he is in good physical condition.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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