Jan-Michael Gambill has predicted that Iga Swiatek will still be 'the player to beat' at the upcoming US Open, where she will be defending her title.

World No. 1 Swiatek seemed unstoppable this time last year after a dream run on the WTA Tour and at Grand Slams. The Polish player won two major titles at the French Open and US Open, as well as lifting the trophy at four WTA 1000 events.

Meanwhile, this season has seen her success continue in many ways, as she achieved her fourth Grand Slam title by defending her victory at Roland Garros and has also continued her streak as No.1, putting her in the top 10 all-time list of most weeks spent at the top.

However, Swiatek has not yet managed to win any WTA 1000 tournaments, and her No. 1 position has come under threat at various points from Aryna Sabalenka. Nevertheless, former world No. 14 Gambill thinks she still deserves to be the favorite this year at Flushing Meadows.

Speaking on the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, Gambill said that Swiatek 'rises to the occasion ' when she knows that she has everything to lose.

"In the end, Iga Swiatek is still the player to beat. She knows that, and I think she rises to the occasion really well," he said.

The American also went on to talk about Swiatek's game, saying that her technical aptitude and high forehand will help her to defend the US Open title.

He mentioned that this was despite the 22-year-old's defeat to eventual champion Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals of the Omnium Banque Nationale Canadian Open in Montreal last week.

"For Iga, it was a tough loss to Pegula, but still the foundation's there and you know she is going to rise to the biggest moments, yeah. She's got the highest forehand out of any others, and that is going to bode well in New York, and beyond," he said.

Swiatek is currently competing in the Cincinnati Open, where she has reached the semi-finals and will be facing world No. 7 Coco Gauff.