US Open Women’s Draw: 5 first-round clashes that could deliver serious drama

Friday, 28 August 2026 at 22:30

The US Open draw has been revealed, and the women's singles field now knows the opening obstacles standing between them and a deep run in New York. As in the men's draw, the seeding system keeps the leading contenders apart in the early rounds, but there are still several intriguing first-round matchups featuring Grand Slam champions, dangerous unseeded players and rising stars.

Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, begins her title defense against Camila Osorio in a matchup that could test the world No. 1 from the very beginning. Paula Badosa will also face a fascinating opening challenge against Daria Kasatkina, while Venus Williams' return to the US Open singles draw has produced an intriguing clash with fellow American Sofia Kenin.

There are also several matchups involving players capable of making a serious impact beyond the opening round. Coco Gauff starts against Tatjana Maria Sönmez, while reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys faces one of the WTA's most promising young players in Anastasiia Korneeva.

But those are only some of the matchups that caught our attention after the draw. From former Grand Slam champions and established stars to dangerous outsiders and emerging talents, the first round already offers plenty of potential drama. Here are our five must-watch WTA first-round matches — with several encounters capable of producing an early upset or setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Camila Osorio

The two-time defending champion returns to the court in Flushing Meadows, although perhaps feeling less like the overwhelming favorite than in previous years. With her world No. 1 ranking under threat and still without a Grand Slam title this season, Sabalenka needs a convincing start if she wants to send a message to the rest of the draw. Standing across the net will be Camila Osorio, a Colombian former junior champion in New York who will not make things easy.

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Osorio will ask Sabalenka to be consistent with her serve, as the Colombian owns an excellent baseline game and is comfortable extending rallies. Sabalenka will need to maintain a high first-serve percentage, particularly because Osorio is one of the better returners on Tour. If the Belarusian struggles to land enough first serves, Osorio could give her more than a few problems, and it would not be surprising to see several breaks of serve throughout the match.

The Colombian already knows what it takes to beat Sabalenka and will not be intimidated by the big stage. She is far from an easy opponent, but Sabalenka is the world No. 1 and will look to rely on her 14-match winning streak in New York. I expect her to win in straight sets, although she will need to remain focused from the beginning.

Our pick: Aryna Sabalenka in two sets.

Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin

There was criticism surrounding the wildcard awarded to Venus Williams, but the reality is that, even at 46, she continues to provide a major spectacle for the crowd, particularly when playing at home. She will almost certainly be on one of the tournament's main courts when she faces another Grand Slam champion in American Sofia Kenin, a former world No. 4 and Australian Open champion who has recently lost her form and fallen outside the top 100.

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It is not particularly common to see two Grand Slam champions meet in the first round, and even more unusual that both players are entering the main draw with wildcards. It is a golden opportunity for both, especially for Kenin, who needs a win to become a name to consider again near the top of the Tour. A victory in New York could be exactly what she needs to put her season back on track.

However, Williams cannot be ruled out so easily. One year ago, she pushed Karolina Muchova, then ranked inside the top 15, extremely hard and took her to a deciding set. Given the occasion and the support she is likely to receive, it would not be a surprise to see another long battle.

Our pick: Sofia Kenin in three sets.

Coco Gauff vs Zeynep Sonmez

The 2023 US Open champion is once again among the contenders, particularly after her Cincinnati Open title, where she defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula in the final. Gauff also has a chance to leave New York as the world No. 1 for the first time in her career, although she will need to win the title to make that happen.

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Her first-round opponent, however, is not without danger. Zeynep Sonmez has taken significant steps forward in her career over the past year and will not be looking to simply make up the numbers against one of the tournament favorites.

At this stage, Gauff has shown that even on her most erratic days, she can do enough to beat the majority of players on Tour, and it would be a major surprise to see her eliminated early in Flushing Meadows. This will be their first meeting, and Gauff is the clear favorite, but Sonmez has plenty to prove and could introduce herself to a much wider audience with a strong performance against the American.

Our pick: Coco Gauff in two sets.

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating Jessica Pegula of the United States 6-2, 6-4 to win the women's singles final at the Cincinnati Open

Daria Kasatkina vs Paula Badosa

A matchup between two big names who were inside the top 10 only a few years ago and were considered genuine contenders for Grand Slam titles. Both have gradually fallen down the rankings after dealing with injuries and confidence issues, but they remain members of the same generation, born in the late 1990s and now approaching their 30s while trying to prove they still have something to say on Tour.

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The pair have met seven times previously, with the Australian leading the head-to-head 4-3, including their most recent clash in the third round of Roland Garros 2025, when both were still inside the top 20.

This time, neither player arrives with the ranking or confidence of previous years, but facing another established name always provides extra motivation and an opportunity to prove that they remain competitive at this level.

Our pick: Paula Badosa in three sets.

Madison Keys vs Alina Korneeva

The 2025 Australian Open champion returns to Flushing Meadows, where the home support should once again provide an extra incentive to produce her best tennis. Keys has already reached the US Open final, doing so in 2017, and as a Grand Slam champion, her ambitions will certainly extend deep into the tournament.

Her first problem, however, is a difficult opening opponent in teenager Alina Korneeva. Once regarded as one of the most exciting generational talents on the junior circuit, the Russian has finally started to show in recent months that she can adapt to the demands of the WTA Tour.

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Korneeva enjoyed an impressive run from qualifying to the round of 16 at the Canadian Open, defeating players such as Emma Navarro and Iva Jovic before losing to Coco Gauff. An injury then forced her out of Cincinnati, but her preparation for the US Open has been extensive as she looks to get herself physically ready.

The 19-year-old looks ready to make a deep run at a Grand Slam and will be a dangerous name for Keys from the opening round. There are opportunities for both players, but on this occasion I will go with Korneeva to produce the upset.

Our pick: Alina Korneeva in three sets.

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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