Universal Tennis INSIGHTS is helping break down the women’s draw with a look at the favorites and dark horses.
2023 US Open Favorites, According to Universal Tennis INSIGHTS
Most Likely to Win
Iga Swiatek (UTR Rating 13.19*)
The defending US Open champion bounced back from a loss at Wimbledon with a title in her home country of Poland. Two semifinal runs later (Toronto and Cincinnati), and she’s heading into the US Open as the top favorite with several rivals she’ll need to overcome. A rematch with Gauff looms in the quarterfinals.Aryna Sabalenka (12.94)
Once again, Sabalenka is in a position to take the WTA No. 1 ranking from Swiatek and achieve the pinnacle of the sport for the first time. She’s won three titles this year (Adelaide, Madrid, and the Australian Open). Her tune-up events for the US Open saw her follow an early loss in Toronto with a semifinal appearance in Cincinnati.Most Likely to Go Far
Coco Gauff (12.91)
The 19-year-old is in the best form of her young career as she heads into her home Slam. She scored her first career win over Swiatek (in eight tries) on her way to the biggest title of her career in Cincinnati. Her go-to doubles partner Jessica Pegula, winner in Toronto, will likely make a big splash in New York as the No. 3 seed.Karolina Muchova (12.80)
Seeded No. 10, Muchova looms in the bottom of the first half of the draw, meaning she could be Swiatek or Gauff’s semifinal opponent. She’s been on fire in 2023, reaching her first major final in Paris unseeded and making a run to the final in Cincinnati with wins over Maria Sakkari and Sabalenka.
Dark Horses
Paula Badosa (12.72)
The Spaniard is no stranger to deep runs at majors, though it’s been a little while for the 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinalist. A winner in Indian Wells that same year, Badosa has the skill set to challenge anyone. She’s got one of the most interesting first rounds as she faces 43-year-old wild card Venus Williams.
Liudmila Samsonova (12.65)
Samsonova is still flying under the radar, though she’s skyrocketed to the Top 15 on the WTA Tour. The 24-year-old is in Pegula's section of the draw in the bottom half. She reached the Toronto final, only to get trounced by Pegula (winning just one game), so that loss will be fresh in her mind.Honorable Mention
Peyton Stearns (12.18)
Peyton Stearns is poised for a breakthrough. The 21-year-old former Texas Longhorn turned pro after winning the team and individual NCAA titles last year. She was named the Universal Tennis Hurd Award winner earlier this season. Stearns has cracked the Top 60 in the WTA ranks in just over a year on tour. She’s near No. 6 seed Caroline Garcia, who she pushed to a tiebreak in Cleveland earlier this week.
Stay tuned for more from INSIGHTS all tournament long.
*INSIGHTS and UTR Ratings as of 9 a.m. EST, August 25.