New York, August 28: The current champion Aryna Sabalenka is joined by top-seeded American Jessica Pegula and 2026 Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the top half of the US Open 2026 women’s singles draw.
In the bottom half, US Open champion Coco Gauff (2023) and Iga Swiatek (2022) are present, alongside 2026 Grand Slam champion Mira Andreeva and Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka will begin her campaign against Colombia’s world number 58 Camila Osorio, while second-seeded Rybakina faces America’s 580th-ranked Thea Froden in the first round.
Since the start of 2025, there have been seven different women’s singles Grand Slam champions, making the title at the US Open 2026 up for grabs.
Sabalenka has shown impressive form at Flushing Meadows, winning titles in 2024 and 2025. Although she hasn’t secured a Grand Slam title this year, she is fully prepared to defend her crown at Queens. If successful, she would become the first woman since Serena Williams to win the US Open three times in a row.
However, achieving victory this season won’t be as easy due to fierce competition and early tournament exits. Rybakina, currently world number 2, is closely trailing Sabalenka, who has held the top position for over 100 weeks. Since they are in different halves, a showdown between Rybakina and Sabalenka won’t occur until the finals. If a rematch of the Australian Open final happens, Sabalenka may face either Pegula, the US Open 2024 runner-up, or 2026 Wimbledon runner-up Karolína Muchová in the semifinals.
Top American players Pegula, Gauff, and Anisimova all have a chance to advance in the US Open 2026. This is crucial, as no American woman has reached a Grand Slam final since Anisimova last year. Pegula, aiming for her first Grand Slam title, could meet Muchová or number 9 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.
In the lower half of the draw, Anisimova and recent Cincinnati champion Gauff may face each other in the quarterfinals. If all goes well, number 3 Pegula and number 4 Gauff could meet in the finals.
Despite Swiatek not progressing beyond the quarterfinals in any Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2025, she arrives at the US Open following a significant victory in Toronto. She may encounter number 22 seed Keys in the quarterfinals.
Emerging star from the Philippines, Alexandra Eala, has already made an impact at Flushing Meadows, attracting a large crowd at the US Open mixed doubles championship earlier this week.
The Williams sisters continue to make headlines. Venus Williams and Serena Williams have received wild cards for women’s doubles, with Venus set to make her singles return first. The two-time US Open women’s singles champion will face fellow American Sofia Kenin, who also received a wild card, in her tournament opener.
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