How deep can Britain’s Jack Draper go at Flushing Meadows? Will Aryna Sabalenka win her first US Open title? Pundits, including Tim Henman and Laura Robson, preview final major of the year, which is live on Sky Sports.
TIM HENMAN: I would put Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz down as the joint favourites. Just the fact that Djokovic has got that Olympic title, I think it might free him up even more to say ‘I really have achieved everything that I wanted to achieve’ and play with the ultimate freedom.
NAOMI BROADY: It’s tough to call but I think Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic are above the pack. The only other players you could add are Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, while Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud might have a chance because it’s more open than other years.
GIGI SALMON: I think Novak Djokovic will successfully defend his title and move to 25 Grand Slam singles titles! Winning Olympic Gold released so much pressure and was the final major honour that was missing from the Djokovic CV and trophy cabinet. He didn’t defend his Cincinnati title but it’s no longer about the No 1 ranking and the chasing of points, it’s all about Grand Slam titles and in particular the elusive 25, so as long as he didn’t do too much partying after his Olympic win, I think he will beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final to be crowned Champion.
BROADY: I think on the hardcourts it will be Aryna Sabalenka’s turn, although so much depends on her fitness. She would have learned a lot from her loss to Coco Gauff last year. I’d love Coco to defend her title but she has a lot of points to defend and you have to think about what pressure that brings.
MACLAGAN: Iga Swiatek is world No 1 by some way but is more vulnerable on a hardcourt. There’s also the emotions of the Olympics where she was massively disappointed to not win gold, so I’m going to go with Sabalenka, she has a big game and has won slams on the hard courts in Australia.
SALMON: It’s tough to say as Emma Raducanu hasn’t played since Washington where she won a couple of matches losing to eventual winner Paula Badosa in the R16, after which she came home opting not to going through qualifying in Toronto and Cincinnati. As a former Champion it must be a special feeling returning to the scene of such joy, and possibly a little intimidating. The draw hasn’t been kind, she faces former Australian Open Champion Sofia Kenin in the first round and then is set to face Toronto winner and Cincinnati finalist Jessica Pegula in round two. Raducanu at her best can blow most people off court, so it will be interesting to see how she fares under the intense spotlight that forever will follow her.
OVEREND: Draper is definitely the man to take British tennis forward, we’ve known that for three or so years now. He’s got the raw talent and he’s working all the time on his fitness. I absolutely think he has got the ability to go very, very deep at the US Open. Every time I see him, I see some progress and I know he’s feared in the locker room.
BROADY added : I think Katie Boulter could have a great run. She’s been so aggressive with the way she’s developed her game in the past year. She had a great clay-court season, some good results and some tough losses, and had some good results on the grass. She is more confident and assured.
