US Open Preview - Women’s Singles

Naomi Osaka is defending champion and top seed, but form coming in to the tournament is scratchy, and retiring from Cincinnati with injury places some doubt about her chances.

First up, Osaka plays Anna Blinkova, quarter finalist in The Bronx Open last week, then probably has Magda Linette, winner of The Bronx Open in round two.

The path, according to seedings, for Osaka involves Carla Suárez Navarro, Belinda Bencic, and seventh seed Kiki Bertens in a quarter final.  I predict success for unseeded Victoria Azarenka after she upsets ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka in the opening round. In the round of sixteen, she will test Bertens, but fall just short.

Simona Halep, seeded number four, is the big danger to Osaka in the top half of the draw. A reasonable draw has been granted the Wimbledon champion, American qualifier Nicole Gibbs the initial hurdle. Kateryna Kozlova and Barbora Strycova (31) should be the next opponents and once accounted for, a round of sixteen clash with teenage high flier Bianca Andreescu (15).

A quarter final with Petra Kvitová (6) is my forecast.

Lots of potential big moments in the bottom part of the draw. Elina Svitolina (5) has in her quarter Zheng Saisai, Venus Williams, Dayana Yastremska (32) and Sofia Kenin (20). Kenin could meet Madison Keys (10) in the round of sixteen. Keys just won Cincinnati, and must rate herself a chance at Flushing Meadows.

I believe that Keys will win through to the quarter final against Karolina Pliskova (3). Pliskova has, on paper, a very favourable draw. These two are both former US Open finalists.

Serena Williams (8) plays Maria Sharapova in the opening round, which should draw a huge crowd. If last years runner-up passes that test, it will probably be a smooth ride to the quarter finals. Here, Serena is drawn to meet second seed Ash Barty. The Australian will likely need to overcome María Sakkari (30) and Angie Kerber (14) to reach Serena.

My forecast:

Quarter finals:

Kiki  Bertens (7) to defeat Naomi Osaka (1)

Simona Halep (4) to defeat Petra Kvitová (6)

Madison Keys (10) to defeat Karolina Pliskova (3)

Ash Barty (2) to defeat Serena Williams (8)

Semi finals:

Simona Halep (4) to defeat Kiki Bertens (7)

Madison Keys (10) to defeat Ash Barty (2)

Winner:  Simona Halep