Regardless of the rain at the aptly named Flushing Meadows, the US Open is back in full swing, with Naomi Osaka looking to defend her women’s crown. The 23-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in the game right now, despite struggling at the Olympics, she will be eager to get another Grand Slam title under her belt before the end of the year, but competition is stiff in New York and the US Open 2021 odds are so reactionary at the moment, constantly changing.
We are still a few weeks away from the showpiece final but already there has been some quality tennis on display throughout the competition — it’s anyone’s guess as to who has the nerve to go all the way this year, with supporters playing their part in appreciation and respect after last year’s event, like so many other big sporting occasions, was forced behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. While Osaka rightly comes in as the favourite, especially following strong starts against Marie Bouzková and a walkover against Serbian Olga Danilović, but there are plenty of overlooked talents more than capable of taking her crown. Here are three women’s tennis players we think could cause an upset at this year’s US open.
Sloane Stephens
With neither of the Venus twins in action during this year’s tournament there is a big chance for an American to step up and cement their own legacy this month. Sloane Stephens made a triumphant return to the hard-court circuit, after family issues withdrew her from a lot of the action last year. While she was around to compete in other tournaments this year, she looked a far cry from her old self, losing early in each of her last three competitions. However, there was a spring in her stepin victory over fellow American Coco Gauff, sweeping her aside despite her tender age, with a certain resurgence and ingenuity that made Stephens look like the player that went all the way and win the 2017 US Open. If she can continue to build on this insurmountable surge of momentum, who knows what is possible if given a favourable next round.
Emma Raducanu
The British teenager turned plenty of heads in her direction this summer with a scintillating Wimbledon run that was forced to end prematurely due to a breathing issue for the 18-year-old. She demonstrated ability that vastly surpassed her years and has all the potential to have a long and prosperous career, provided she can etch out some small notches in her game. She faces tough opposition in China’s Zhang Shuai, but if she can overcome such a big obstacle, one that beat her earlier this summer in San Jose, then she stands in good stead to massively disrupt the US Open betting tips.
Fiona Ferro
Despite making her name through her work in doubles tennis, and only ranked 74th, Fiona Ferro’s second round match against Poland’s Iga Świątek could prove decisive as she looks to go all the way in the Big Apple. Ferro has shown she is capable of causing upsets in the past, having represented her country in the Fed Cup World Cup, but now has an opportunity to show that she can perform as a singles player as well as on the double’s scene. There is potential for the 24-year-old to slip under the radar and cause an upset throughout the competition.