The
US Open kicks off on August 28th, 2023 and several enticing matchups have already been scheduled for the opening round matches.
World No.7
Stefanos Tsitsipas will be facing
Milos Raonic in the first round, as the big-serving Canadian resumes his comeback after a lengthy absence due to injury. Although Tsitsipas is viewed as the favorite, the Greek star has had a subpar season and could crumble under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows.
Former champions face difficult openers in New York
Two-time champion
Venus Williams will take on former World No.3
Paula Badosa. The Spaniard has been out of form this season, but will be taking on the 43-year old American who only has a handful of wins on her belt over the past two years.
Sloane Stephens, who lifted the title in 2017, takes on 19th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. The American has saved her best performances for the biggest stages, but will have her hands full against the Brazilian, who reached the semifinals at Roland Garros this spring.
2021 runner-up
Leylah Fernandez will take on 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the Canadian yet to replicate her performance from that Grand Slam two years ago. Alexandrova has yet to lose before the third round of all three Majors this year.
Thirteenth seed Daria Kasatkina will take on rising American star Alycia Parks, who burst onto the scene in 2023 and won her maiden WTA Tour title in February in Lyon. Meanwhile, Kasatkina will be looking to advance to the second week in New York for just the second time in her career (2017).
On the men's side, 21st seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will take on the in-form Marcos Giron. Both men have been in great form during the summer hardcourt season, with each acquiring top 10 wins during their runs.