Former top 20 player names the 'most dangerous' player in the women's draw for the US Open

Following the conclusion of the revamped mixed doubles event, the US Open singles tournaments are set to get underway.

On the women’s side, there has been a different winner in each of the last six seasons, with Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and the defending champion Aryna Sabalenka all hoisting the trophy in recent years.

The last star to go back-to-back at Flushing Meadows was Serena Williams, who won three consecutive titles between 2012 and 2014.

After a WTA season full of surprises, it is hard to pick an outright favourite for the 2025 US Open, but former semifinalist Wally Masur named who he thinks has the best shot.

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Wally Masur names his favourite for the US Open women’s title

Ahead of the opening round, Masur said of world number one Sabalenka: “If she’s kind of firing, she’s the most dangerous.

“That final at Roland Garros was interesting because it was a tricky day, Gauff is a tricky opponent, but Sabalenka kind of beat herself in a way.

“If Aryna can get her head together after her break – she obviously got a few matches up in Cincinnati – she’s probably the favourite or thereabouts. Assuming they all play their best tennis, I’ve got Sabalenka by a whisker.”

Former Australian Open mixed doubles finalist Jamiee Fourlis agreed: “Definitely deep, she’s definitely the player to watch and the most consistent player on the hard courts.

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“It’s so tough to beat Sabalenka on a hard court. I think through her Roland Garros loss and through Wimby, she’s definitely learned some lessons along the way.

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“I think she’ll be able to show whether she’s learned enough and put that to work to be able to go deep here again at the US Open.

“She’s always dangerous, and she’ll always come up and be prepared to fight, so you can never underestimate her ability.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s results at Grand Slams this season

Between 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka clinched three Grand Slam titles, but so far in 2025 she has been unable to add to her tally.

At the Australian Open, the Belarusian dropped just one set en route to the final, but she ultimately fell to Madison Keys, who went on to secure a maiden major crown.

Australian Open Roland Garros Wimbledon US Open Final Final Semifinals – Aryna Sabalenka’s results at Grand Slams this season

She also reached the championship match at Roland Garros, where, despite taking the first set against her opponent, Gauff, the 27-year-old couldn’t get over the line.

Sabalenka recorded her joint-best career finish at Wimbledon by making the semifinals, but lost to Amanda Anisimova in three sets.

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