Watch US Open — Women's Singles First Round Free.

What's at Stake

The opening day of the US Open Women's Singles tournament represents the high-stakes beginning of the final Grand Slam of the season, where elite competitors begin their quest for a historic major title. For top-seeded contenders, these initial matches are crucial for establishing rhythm and avoiding a costly early exit, while lower-ranked challengers view the first round as a career-defining opportunity to secure a massive upset on tennis's biggest stage. Success in this opening round not only secures vital ranking points but also sets the competitive tone for the grueling fortnight ahead in New York.

Form Guide

Heading into Flushing Meadows, the women's field is highly competitive, with several top players showcasing strong hard-court form during the summer North American swing. Key warm-up tournaments in Toronto, Montreal, and Cincinnati have highlighted a mix of dominant baseline play and resilient defensive performances from the tour's elite. While some favorites arrive with high confidence and multiple recent victories, others are looking to quickly shake off early-round tournament exits and find their peak form on the fast DecoTurf courts.

Key Players to Watch

• Iga Swiatek — The world number one brings her unmatched court coverage and relentless baseline intensity as she aims to reclaim the crown in New York.
• Aryna Sabalenka — Armed with one of the most powerful serves and forehands on tour, she remains a formidable force on fast hard courts.
• Coco Gauff — The fan favorite returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium looking to harness the energy of the home crowd and utilize her elite athleticism to spark another deep run.

Prediction

Expect the tournament favorites to assert their dominance early on, with the top seeds likely securing straightforward, straight-sets victories to open their campaigns. While the energy of the New York crowd often inspires a few lower-ranked players to push their opponents to deciding third sets, the physical conditioning and experience of the elite contenders should ultimately prevail. The most dominant players are predicted to advance comfortably, setting a high standard for the rest of the tournament.