The US Open kicks off on Monday at Flushing Meadows, featuring an exciting lineup of matches with defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, as well as former champions Dominic Thiem and Sloane Stephens, all in action.
Novak Djokovic aims to defend his title as he faces Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot in the first round. Djokovic, who is trying to become the first man since Roger Federer (2004-2008) to successfully defend his US Open crown, comes off a season that includes a coveted Olympic gold medal but has otherwise seen him lose the Australian Open and French Open titles to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively. Djokovic will look to regain his dominance on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium after a disappointing year.
Coco Gauff, the world number three, begins her title defense against French player Varvara Gracheva. Gauff, who captured her maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows last year, has had a mixed 2024, including a second-round exit in Cincinnati. She previously defeated Gracheva in Auckland earlier this year and will be looking to turn around her recent form to make another deep run in New York.
Another match to watch features newly crowned Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen of China against US wild card Amanda Anisimova. Zheng, fresh off her historic victory for China at the Olympics, will attempt to channel that success into her US Open campaign. Anisimova, on the comeback trail after a mental health break, will pose a significant challenge as she looks to build on her recent success in reaching the WTA 1000 final in Toronto.
Comment: