HOW THE LEADING WOMEN SHAPE UP FOR THE US OPEN
KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)
Age: 28
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US19,997,689
Career titles: 16
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 19-7
Best US Open result: runner-up 2016
The power-serving Czech has been elevated to top seed at a major for the first time following the withdrawal of six of the world’s best eight players including Australia’s No.1 Ashleigh Barty.
SOFIA KENIN (USA)
Age: 21
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,930,775
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 1 (Australian Open 2020)
US Open win-loss record: 6-5
Best US Open results: third round 2017, 2018, 2019
The Australian Open champion is oozing confidence and will fancy her chances of adding a second slam to her CV following her stunning breakthrough in Melbourne.
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 38
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US92,720,122
Career titles: 73
Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
US Open win-loss record: 101-113
Best US Open results: champion 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014; runner-up 2001, 2011, 2018
At 38, the living legend will never get a better chance to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles crowns in an utterly depleted draw.
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 22
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US14,617,235
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 2 (2018 US Open; 2019 Australian Open)
US Open win-loss record: 14-3
Best US Open result: champion 2018
The Japanese superstar is seeded fourth and won’t face a higher-ranked rival until at least the semi-finals as she bids for a second title in New York in three years.
MADISON KEYS (USA)
Age: 25
Ranking: 13
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US12,357,972
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 22-8
Best US Open result: runner-up 2017
The seventh seed form continually produces her best grand slam tennis on the fast Flushing Meadows surface, where she also made the semi-finals in 2016 before losing the 2017 final to Sloane Stephens.
BEST OUTSIDER
COCO GAUFF (USA)
Age: 16
Ranking: 50
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US812,990
Career titles: 1
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 2-1
Best US Open result: third round 2019
The teenager is already a superstar and a proven grand slam contender, as evidenced by her unforgettable victory over Venus Williams en route to the Wimbledon second week last year.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPE
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC
Age: 27
Ranking: 57
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US3,046,712
Career titles: 0
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 4-6
Best US Open results: second round 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019
With Barty and former champion Samantha Stosur opting out, the 2019 Fed Cup finalist is Australia’s best prospect but has a tough opener against three-time major winner Angelique Kerber.
