US Open predictions: How will Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff do?
The tennis specialists at Sky Sports predict who will win the US Open and discuss which British players have a chance to make an impact.
Catch all the tournament action live on Sky Sports from August 26 to September 8.
Live coverage of the 2024 US Open Tennis tournament
Predicting The Men's Winner
TIM HENMAN: In my opinion, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the top picks to win. Djokovic's Olympic gold medal could give him the confidence to play without any pressure, knowing he's accomplished all his goals.
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NAOMI BROADY: It's difficult to say for sure, but in my opinion, Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic are leading the way. Other strong contenders include Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud also having a shot at success in this unpredictable year.
LAURA ROBSON: I think my top picks would be Alcaraz, but I'm not completely sure. I'm torn between Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Sinner. These are the players that really stand out to me.
GIGI SALMON believes that Novak Djokovic will once again win the title and reach 25 Grand Slam singles victories! The pressure has been lifted after his Olympic Gold win, a major accomplishment that was missing from his collection. While he didn't defend his Cincinnati title, Djokovic is now focused solely on winning Grand Slam titles, especially the elusive 25th. As long as he didn't celebrate too much after his Olympic victory, GIGI SALMON predicts that Djokovic will defeat Carlos Alcaraz in the final and be named the Champion.
JONATHAN OVEREND: The competition in the men's category is very unpredictable. Djokovic, the current champion, Alcaraz who has previously won, and Sinner who is a promising player all have strong chances. Zverev is also performing impressively and should not be counted out. The choice of a winner among these four is difficult, but there is definitely a select group that stands out from the rest.
MILES MACLAGAN: I believe that players like Medvedev and Zverev have proven themselves in tournaments, but I think the top three players are the ones to watch. Sinner seems to be in better shape than Djokovic and Alcaraz, so I predict that Sinner will win the remaining tournaments of the year.
NAOMI CAVADAY: I think Alcaraz will win again. I have concerns that Sinner is not fully fit. Either Alcaraz or Djokovic are the top contenders. But personally, I believe Carlos will be the one to win.
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Predicting The Women's Event Winner
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BROADY: In my opinion, Aryna Sabalenka may have the upper hand on the hard courts, but her performance will heavily rely on her fitness level. She likely gained valuable lessons from her defeat against Coco Gauff last year. While I hope Coco can successfully defend her title, she is faced with the challenge of maintaining her points and managing the pressure that comes with it.
ROBSON: I'm betting big on Sabalenka. While other players have struggled with the transition between different surfaces, Sabalenka is a strong contender on a fast hardcourt.
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OVEREND: I would choose Gauff as my top pick. I believe she will have a lot of fans cheering her on and as soon as she enters Flushing Meadows, the memories of her success from a year ago will come flooding back. This will surely boost her spirits and bring out her best performance once more.
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MACLAGAN: Iga Swiatek sits comfortably at the top of the world rankings, but she may struggle more on hard courts. The Olympics brought out strong emotions for her, as she was disappointed not to win the gold medal. Therefore, my prediction is that Sabalenka, with her powerful playing style and previous success on hard courts in Australia, will be the one to watch.
CAVADAY: I'm going to take a risk and choose a different player because the top players have not been performing consistently. Gauff has shown weaknesses, Rybakina is dealing with health problems, and Swiatek struggled under pressure at the Olympics. My pick is Amanda Anisimova.
My pick for the women's champion at the Australian Open is Aryna Sabalenka. Despite having to deal with a shoulder injury that kept her out of Wimbledon, she was able to take some much-needed rest and relaxation. Now back in top form, as evidenced by her performance in Cincinnati, she is a force to be reckoned with. She seems to be in a great place mentally and physically, and I believe she has what it takes to win her first Grand Slam title outside of Australia.
She won't be seeded and no one will want to face her in the early rounds of the tournament. Plus, she has the advantage of experience. How many can claim they've come out on top at the US Open?
Can Emma Raducanu Win?
BROADY: Emma is a strong contender when she's playing at her best. Despite not being seeded, no one would want to face her in the early rounds. With her previous victory at the US Open, she has the experience of going far in major tournaments and knows how to manage her energy throughout the event. With her improving results, she is aiming to reach the second week of the tournament.
It's hard to predict how Emma Raducanu will perform in her upcoming matches. She hasn't played since Washington, where she had some good wins but ultimately lost to Paula Badosa. Instead of entering qualifying rounds in Toronto and Cincinnati, she decided to come home. Returning to a tournament where she was once a champion must bring back special memories, but it could also be daunting. Raducanu has a tough draw, starting off against Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open Champion, and potentially facing tough competition in Jessica Pegula in the next round. When she's playing at her best, Raducanu can dominate her opponents, so it will be interesting to see how she handles the pressure that comes with her success.
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MACLAGAN: I don't think it's likely that she will win again, but a strong performance is definitely possible. Even though Emma is still early in her career, she has had to face challenges and rebuild herself. This experience can make her even stronger the second time around, as she is more aware of her goals and playing style.
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What Is Jack Draper's Potential?
BROADY: He is causing trouble for many of the top players on these fast courts - his powerful serve and left-handed play make the ball bounce in tricky ways. He is becoming more aggressive with his forehand and has been coming to the net more often, which I think is a great change in his game. He has a good chance of reaching the second week of the tournament.
OVEREND: Draper is clearly the one to lead British tennis into the future, we've been aware of that for about three years. He has natural talent and is constantly focused on improving his physical condition. I strongly believe he has what it takes to achieve great success at the US Open. Every time I watch him play, I notice improvements and I know he's respected by other players.
SALMON: Jack Draper has a strong opportunity in the upcoming matches! After a successful performance in Cincinnati where he pushed past some tough challenges and emerged victorious, it appears that he is thriving under the guidance of Wayne Ferreria on his team.
The first round will be a tough challenge against Zhizhen Zhang, and then the real test will come in the third round against Carlos Alcaraz. Although he defeated Alcaraz at Queen's earlier this year, the Spaniard is expected to come out on top if they face off again.
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Which Men Could Surprise In New York?
BROADY: Arthur Fils is currently enjoying the best time in his career. He just claimed victory at the Hamburg Open and reached the second week at Wimbledon. I believe the atmosphere in New York will be perfect for his playing style. He thrives on the energy and support from the crowd.
ROBSON: I'm supporting Draper for sure. Hopefully, he can take a break after Cincinnati and arrive in New York feeling refreshed both physically and mentally. Is it even a surprise anymore how well he's been playing? I don't think so.
MACLAGAN: Hubert Hurkacz's tennis game is on fire and he has a powerful playing style. He has struggled with nerves in the past, but he has managed to win Masters 1000 titles and is showing great potential. The American players are also looking impressive, with three or four of them now ranked in the top 20. Among them, Taylor Fritz stands out to me.
SALMON: I am rooting for Dominic Thiem, the previous US Open winner, as he has been struggling with a wrist injury and inner doubts that have led him to consider retiring at his upcoming home tournament in Austria. The USTA has granted him a wildcard entry, and it would be heartwarming to see him win some matches and receive a well-deserved farewell. Keep an eye on him, as he may not be a dark horse, but rather a contender to watch closely!
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What About The Women's Bracket?
BROADY: In my opinion, Katie Boulter has the potential for a successful streak. She has been very assertive in improving her game over the last year. Despite some challenging losses, she had a strong performance on clay courts and continued to deliver good results on grass. Her confidence and poise have noticeably grown.
OVEREND: Qinwen Zheng should definitely be mentioned when discussing the gold medalist from Paris. Keep an eye on Mirra Andreeva, who is just 17 years old. She made it to the semi-finals of the French Open and showed great potential at Cincinnati before the US Open. She is definitely a future grand slam champion, and it may happen sooner than we expect. There have been others who won slams at 17, and she certainly has the talent to achieve it.
ROBSON: I am betting on Lulu Sun. I believe she will continue to perform well after reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Heather Watson mentioned her to me, saying, 'I've been talking about her. I knew she would do well.' Those who have faced her probably expected her success.
SALMON: Mirra Andreeva, a 17-year-old tennis player ranked No 21 in the world, is coached by Conchita Martinez. She is determined, passionate, and sometimes shows her emotions on the court. However, she is eager to learn and thrives in competitive matches on a big platform. Despite only competing in the US Open for the second time, she lost to Coco Gauff in the second round last year. I predict she may make it to the fourth round, potentially facing the current world No 1, Iga Swiatek.
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The Sky Sports experts were having a conversation with Raz Mirza and David Currie.
Tune in to Sky Sports Tennis to catch all the action from the WTA and ATP Tours in 2024, including the US Open taking place from August 26 to September 8.
