2025 U.S. Open: Five women to watch in Flushing

Aryna Sabalenka

Current ranking: 1

Country: Belarus

Age: 27

Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2024-Won, 2023-runner-up, 2022, lost in semis, 2021, lost in semis, 2020-lost in first round

The Volley: Sabalenka is the No. 1 player in the world by a considerable margin and the defending U.S. Open champion. But she has not added to her total of three Grand Slam titles this season, losing to Madison Keys in the Australian final and Coco Gauff in the French final. There should be considerable hunger to defend her title at the Open. If her serve is on point, she is very difficult to beat.

Coco Gauff

Curent ranking: 2

Country: United States

Age: 21

Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2024-lost in semis, 2023-Won, 2022-lost in quarters, 2021-lost in second round, 2020-lost in first round

The Volley: Gauff is so young but she seems to have been around so long. This season has had its ups and downs, from winning the French Open to losing in the first round at Wimbledon and not having the best hard court season leading up to the Open. Her serve has been letting her down, but if she can correct it with consistency it will determine just how far she goes.

Iga Swiatek

Current ranking: 3

Country: Poland

Age: 24

Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2024-lost in quarterfinals, 2023-lost in quarterfinals, 2022-Won, 2021-lost in round of 16, 2020-lost in third round

The Volley: Swiatek seems to be rounding into form at just the right time. And she pocketed her first Wimbledon this season, though that was only title she has taken coming into Cincinnati this week. Then she beat Jasmine Paolini there for a second title. She’s crediting new coach Wim Fissette for vastly improving her serve speed.

Jasmine Paolini

Current ranking: 9

Country: Italy

Age: 29

Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2024-lost in round of 16, 2023-lost in second round, 2022-lost in first round, 2021-lost in second round, 2020-DNP

The Volley: If there is one thing about the game of the late blooming Paolini it’s her smile. She definitely ranks number one when it comes to playing this oft-frustrating sport with a sense of joy often absent among her peers. It is difficult to say just what has led to recent success later in her career, but whatever it is, she has became a fan favorite. She made the Cincinnati final, but lost to Swiatek.

Madison Keys

Current ranking: 6

Country: United States

Age: 30

Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2024-lost in third round, 2023-lost in semis, 2022-lost in third round, 2021-lost in first round, 2020-lost in third round

The Volley: After years of promise where she failed to produce the really big win, Keys finally won her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open this season, taking down Sabalenka. Her game is mercurial and her power often misplaced. But she made it to the Open final in 2017, losing to Sloane Stephens. Injuries have often been a problem. If healthy, does she have one more long run in her?