Anticipation is at an all-time high as we await the start of first-round action at the US Open.
With the start of the final Grand Slam of the year right around the corner, let’s take a look at five bold predictions for this year’s US Open.
#1: Novak Djokovic Wins His 25th Slam
GettyNovak Djokovic calls out top players for criticizing two-week Masters 1000 tournaments.
While Jannik Sinner is looking to go back-to-back as US Open champion, the world No. 1 is coming off a gut-wrenching retirement against Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati Open. Although Sinner is expected to be healthy in time for his first-round match against Vit Kopriva on Monday, there’s no telling how the Italian star will handle a best-of-five match after an illness.
On the opposite side of the draw, Novak Djokovic, who has a 4-1 record against potential semifinal opponent Carlos Alcaraz across their last five meetings, is entering the tournament rested and eager to capture an elusive 25th slam.
Despite being in the twilight years of his career, Djokovic has shown that he’s still capable of competing at the highest level, and given that the last Slam he won was in Flushing Meadows, it would be fitting for Djokovic to capture his 25th Slam at this year’s US Open.
#2: Andrey Rublev Reaches SF Thanks to the Marat Safin Effect
Andrey Rublev competes at the Cincinnati Open.
Andrey Rublev has been playing some great tennis as of late.
At the Cincinnati Open he notably defeated an in-form Alexei Popyrin in the third round before eventually losing a hard-fought three-setter to Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
In addition to the fact that Rublev has played well as of late, the fan-favorite has been all smiles while training with the one and only Marat Safin ahead of the US Open, who he credits with, quote, “fixing his head” last year.
Safin has seemingly been a huge difference-maker in the Rublev camp, and with the 2000 US Open winner in Flushing Meadows, look for Rublev to make a deep run.
If Rublev is able to make the SF, he will likely collide with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
#3: Iga Swiatek Wins Second US Open Title
GettyIga Swiatek reacts to winning the 2025 Wimbledon final against Amanda Anisimova.
Iga Swiatek has been on fire as of late.
Prior to flying to New York for her mixed doubles run with Casper Ruud, Swiatek won the Cincinnati Open without dropping a set.
The win saw her overtake top-ranked American Coco Gauff in the WTA rankings, putting her behind only Aryna Sabalenka ahead of the US Open.
Throughout this season, Swiatek has continued to look more and more like a force to be reckoned with going into the final stretch of the year, and with momentum on her side heading into the US Open, look for the former world No. 1 to capture her second title in Flushing Meadows.
#4: Karolina Muchova (At Minimum) Reaches the QF
GettyKarolina Muchova competes against Madison Keys at the National Bank Open.
After starting this season ranked No. 21 in the world, Karolina Muchova is now sitting at No. 12 on the WTA rankings.
Before the grass & clay swing of the 2025 season, Muchova impressed on hard courts, making it to the Round of 16 at Indian Wells before falling to Iga Swiatek, and the semifinals of both the Dubai Masters 1000 and the Upper Austria Ladies Linz WTA500.
In the first round, Muchova will collide with Venus Williams, however, her quarter of the draw has her poised for a quarterfinal run, where she would potentially face off with Madison Keys.
It’s there that Muchova will likely face her toughest test of the early rounds, with Keys holding a 2-0 record in their head-to-head.
#5: Elena Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka in the QF
GettyRecaps and highlights from day four of Wimbledon 2025 as former champs Rybakina and Krejčíková advance
Elena Rybakina has been playing some great tennis as of late, and knocking on the door of something big. In three straight tournaments, Rybakina has reached the semifinals before losing to the eventual champion.
Heading into the US Open, Rybakina faces a tough test if she wants to reach the semifinals, with No. 7-seeded Jasmine Paolini and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in her quarter of the draw.
While Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 7-5, Rybakina notably defeated the world No. 1 in straight sets at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month.
Given how well she’s played as of late, look for a big upset if these two collide in the quarterfinals.
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