2019 US Open Women's Preview: Surprises aplenty expected at Flushing Meadows

This time around, there is not one player who could be earmarked as the clear cut favourite for the title at Flushing Meadows; so today we take a look at who is likely to make a name for themselves in the Big Apple.

Naomi Osaka is the defending champion, the number one seed and player in the world; could be earmarked as the favourite but injuries have blighted her progression as of late on the US Open series.

In her quarter, it isn't cut and dry that she will make it through; with the likes of Carla Suarez Navarro, Donna Vekic, Coco Gauff and Kiki Bertens all in her side of the draw and looking to all cause shocks.

If Osaka is healthy, it is expected that she will breeze through the opening part of the tournament; but that is a big if and it will only really be known when she takes to the court to face Anna Blinkova.

Simona Halep is the standout name in the next part of the draw; with the Wimbledon champion though not a big fan of Flushing Meadows and suffering with injuries at times this season only taking part in the Rogers Cup and Western & Southern Open this hard-court season.

As a result like Osaka, big question marks remain about the Romanian going into this year's tournament.

It is a stacked quarter though; with Petra Kvitova, Sloane Stephens, the in-form again Svetlana Kuznetsova, Garbine Muguruza who looked good in Cincinnati; but lost to eventual champion Madison Keys and Jelena Ostapenko.

The one player who you could consider to be among the favourites to get through despite those names is Bianca Andreescu.

The Canadian ace has really come into the foray as a result of her brilliant Rogers Cup win; where she delighted her home crowd and she will aim to bring that to Flushing Meadows.

The 19-year old has shown her ability as well at Indian Wells to perform on the big stage; but her big test will definitely be Simona Halep potentially in Round 2 in a tie which could be even more interesting than Serena Williams v Maria Sharapova in the first round.

One player who has come into the foray again is Madison Keys who won in Cincinnati; is the headline player in the next section alongside Karolina Pliskova. Venus Williams and Sam Stoser are the two experienced names in terms of Grand Slam wins.

Keys though could be seen as an outside bet for many after her exploits in Cincinnati; after losing out in 2017 in the final, could she win on home soil to avenge that defeat?

The final quarter is headlined by Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty. Williams will begin her quest against Maria Sharapova in the tie of the round of sorts in the Women's Draw and it will give a big indication as to whether she has recovered from her injury which saw her withdraw in the final of the Rogers Cup.

Barty is one of the most in-form players on the circuit going 42-8 this season and as a result it will be intriguing to see how she does at Flushing Meadows. Overall expect fireworks in the Women's draw this year.

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