Forget Wimbledon: These 10 players are suddenly US Open contenders
Tennis NewsThursday, 06 August 2026 at 19:30
The US Open draw is still weeks away, but several title favourites already have one nightmare scenario in mind. A host of players have transformed their seasons since Wimbledon, arriving in New York full of confidence but still ranked low enough to land in the first-round path of the biggest stars. One unlucky draw could send a contender crashing out before the tournament has even settled into its rhythm.
Wimbledon changed confidence, and the rankings haven't fully caught up. Hard-court form has continued, but some players are still unseeded despite playing like top 20 players. Between them, these ten players have won four Grand Slam titles, reached multiple major finals, and collected seven tour titles since Wimbledon.
Alexandra Eala, Barbora Krejcikova, Mayar Sherif and Paula Badosa are among the players who arrive in New York with renewed confidence on hard courts, while the men’s field also features emerging threats such as Rafael Jodar, Arthur Fery and Raphaël Collignon. Many of them could be unseeded — meaning some of the biggest names in the sport may face a difficult test from the very first round.
Why they're dangerous - US Open names to watch
| Player | Why they're dangerous | Biggest recent result | Seeded? |
| Alexandra Eala | DC Open champion | Won first WTA 500 | Likely yes |
| Barbora Krejcikova | Two-time Slam champion | Athens title | Borderline |
| Paula Badosa | Won 11 of last 13 | Form resurgence | Borderline |
| Rafael Jodar | Top-15 breakthrough | DC Open final | Yes |
| Arthur Fery | Wimbledon semi-final | Career breakthrough | Borderline |
Women's draw nightmares
1. Alexandra Eala
No player arrives in New York arrives with more momentum than Alexandra Eala The Filipino has been taking giant steps over the last year, but the past few weeks have been the best stretch of her career. After reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon — her best Grand Slam result so far — she began the hard-court swing by winning her first WTA singles title, and did so in spectacular fashion.
Eala captured the Washington title by defeating Zheng Qinwen, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula in the final. The run propelled her into the top 20 for the first time, and her rise still feels far from complete.
The 21-year-old is already a former US Open junior champion, having won the girls' singles title in 2022 along with multiple junior Grand Slam doubles trophies. Her serve remains the area with the greatest room for improvement, but her footwork, baseline consistency and ability to absorb pace make her especially dangerous on hard courts.
Another factor working in her favor is the overwhelming support she receives from crowds, particularly in North America. Opponents know that a significant portion of the audience is often behind Eala, making her one of the most uncomfortable floaters in the women's draw. Few seeded players will be celebrating if Eala lands in their section. A first-round meeting with Eala would immediately become one of the biggest talking points of the tournament.
Alexandra Eala shone at Wimbledon.
2. Barbora Krejcikova
The two-time Grand Slam champion has finally regained momentum after a long period interrupted by injuries and physical setbacks. Throughout her career, Krejcikova has often been underestimated, but her resume speaks for itself: two major singles titles, a WTA 1000 crown, and nine career WTA titles overall.
She returned to hard courts in impressive fashion by winning the Athens Open, defeating Maria Sakkari in the final. More importantly, she appears physically healthy again, which immediately changes the conversation around her chances at the US Open.
Krejcikova's all-court game, tactical intelligence and ability to raise her level on big stages make her a dangerous unseeded or lower-seeded opponent for any title contender in New York.
Krejcikova reached quarterfinals at 2025 US Open and lost against Jessica Pegula.
3. Mayar Sherif
Few players have been hotter since Wimbledon than Mayar Sherif, who arrives on a 13-match winning streak. The Egyptian has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence over the past few weeks. After falling in the first round of Wimbledon qualifying, Sherif responded with 13 consecutive victories and back-to-back titles at the WTA 125 Contrexeville and WTA 250 Iași tournaments.
In just a few weeks, she climbed from outside the top 120 back into the top 50 and now arrives at the US Open with enormous confidence. The 31-year-old has never won a main-draw match in New York, but this season could represent her best opportunity yet.
Sherif had seriously considered retirement not long ago because of recurring injuries. Her fighting spirit has been one of the defining stories of her comeback, and recent wins over Paula Badosa have confirmed that she can challenge elite opponents when she is healthy. Her ranking may not reflect it, but few players arrive with greater confidence.
4. Paula Badosa
Badosa is climbing again after another period in which injuries pushed her down the rankings. A recurring theme throughout her career has been the gap between her ranking and her actual level when she is physically healthy.
The former Indian Wells champion made the most of the weeks following Wimbledon, winning nine consecutive matches and 11 of her last 13 overall. Her only recent losses have come against the inspired Sherif.
Badosa reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2024 before losing to Emma Navarro, and she now enters the tournament as one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the field. If her body holds up, she has the firepower and experience to make another deep run.
Paula Badosa to peak again?
5. Maria Sakkari
After spending several seasons inside the top 10, Sakkari lost momentum over the last two years. The climb back has been gradual, but recent weeks suggest that the Greek is finally rediscovering the level that once made her a regular threat at the biggest tournaments.
Following a third-round loss at Wimbledon, Sakkari returned home for the Athens Open and reached the final, where she fell to Krejcikova but produced several encouraging performances.
Her heavy baseline game, excellent movement and experience at the highest level remain major assets. A former US Open semifinalist in 2021, Sakkari knows how to play in New York and could become one of the most dangerous floaters in the women's draw.
Maria Sakkari looks dangerous once more.
Men's draw nightmares
6. Rafael Jodar
The Spaniard has been one of the biggest revelations of the 2026 season, and arguably the most unexpected rise of the year. In his first full season as a professional, he has already climbed into the top 15.
His recent results suggest he is much more than a clay-court specialist. Jodar reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals, the Wimbledon third round, and the DC Open final, defeating Arthur Fils, Lorenzo Musetti and Alejandro Tabilo before falling in a tight championship match against Taylor Fritz.
He owns a 30-13 record this season and has already shown he can compete with elite opponents. If his rapid development continues, Jodar could soon become a top-10 player and a genuine challenger to the established order. He's already shown he belongs with the elite—and a first-round draw against a top-eight seed could become a blockbuster.
7. Arthur Fery
Fery was one of the breakout stars of Wimbledon after reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal as a wildcard. The run propelled him from No. 114 to a career-high No. 36 and made him the new British No. 1.
His aggressive all-court game translated surprisingly well to the biggest stage, and he now has a packed schedule leading into the US Open, with Cincinnati, Quebec and Winston-Salem serving as his final warm-up events.
If he collects a few more wins before New York, Fery could even arrive as a seeded player. Either way, his confidence has changed dramatically since Wimbledon.
Arthur Fery now the British No.1.
8. Raphael Collignon
Since his early Wimbledon exit, the Belgian has rebuilt his momentum in impressive fashion. He reached his first ATP final in Gstaad and has quietly become one of the most dangerous players outside the seeded positions.
Collignon has already defeated top-10 opponents such as Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Musetti this season, including victories at Grand Slam events. The 24-year-old recently broke into the top 50 and is beginning to establish himself as a consistent tour-level threat.
Whether he arrives seeded or not, Collignon is exactly the type of player the favorites will hope to avoid in the opening rounds. If Collignon remains unseeded, nobody inside the top eight will be hoping to see his name.
9. Dani Merida
The young Spaniard captured his first ATP title at the Umag Open shortly after Wimbledon, continuing one of the fastest rises among players under 21.
Merida reached the second round at Wimbledon, where he pushed Daniil Medvedev in a competitive match, and has shown a maturity that is unusual for a 20-year-old. He has repeatedly found ways to recover from difficult situations and close tight matches under pressure.
Still developing on hard courts, Merida remains a dangerous wildcard-type opponent capable of surprising higher-ranked players in New York.
10. Arthur Gea
Few players have been hotter since Wimbledon than Arthur Gea. The Frenchman has won 11 of his last 13 matches, reached the Granby Challenger final, and then stunned the tennis world by winning the ATP Los Cabos title.
During that run he defeated Francisco Cerundolo and Denis Shapovalov, proving that he is not intimidated by established names. Gea is currently ranked No. 84, but because the US Open entry list was finalized before his breakthrough, he will likely have to come through qualifying. If he qualifies, he could become the most feared qualifier in the entire draw.
Every US Open produces at least one draw that changes the tournament before the second week begins. Looking at recent form rather than rankings, these ten players look perfectly placed to become the nightmare opponents capable of ending a favourite's title bid before it truly begins.
Who could become the biggest surprise of the US Open? If one player from this list reaches the second week, Alexandra Eala and Rafael Jodar currently look like the standout candidates.
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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