The women’s 2019 US Open draw is out and we look back on the biggest stars’ projected paths to Grand Slam glory. Who can call themselves lucky and who will have to battle for their place in the tournament from the very first round? Here are our picks:
Women’s US Open Draw
Child’s Play
1. Karolina Pliskova (3rd seed)
A runner-up here three years ago, the Czech is once again playing great tennis this year. She’s often overlooked when it comes to Grand Slam contenders but you should definitely keep an eye on her at the upcoming US Open. Most of the players in her section of the draw are out of form and the Czech should capitalize on that.
Pliskova’s projected path to the semifinals:
R1 – qualifier; R2 – Pera/qualifier; R3 – Garcia; R4 – Konta/Vondrousova; QF – Svitolina/Keys
2. Ashleigh Barty (2nd seed)
The period straight after winning your first Grand Slam is always tough, and although Ash Barty’s results have dropped a bit, she’s still playing very well. The surface at the US Open should suit her and with the kind of draw she has, she should have enough time to get in the right gear.
Barty’s projected path to the semifinals:
R1 – Diyas; R2 – Davis/qualifier; R3 – Sakkari/Giorgi; R4 – Kerber/Wang; QF – S.Williams
3. Madison Keys (10th seed)
The recent Cincinnati champion is back to full health after injuries hampered her first half of the season. She was the runner-up here two years ago and will fancy her chances to get through this section.
Keys’s projected path to the semifinals:
R1 – Doi; R2 – Zhu/qualifier; R3 – Kenin; R4 – Svitolina/Yastremska; QF – Pliskova
Nightmare on Draw Street
1. Serena Williams (8th seed)
Okay, Maria Sharapova hasn’t been healthy lately. It’s still not someone you want to play in your first round match though. If Serena isn’t 100% fit, the first three rounds will be a struggle.
Serena’s projected path to the semifinals:
R1 – Sharapova; R2 – McNally; R3 – Hsieh/Muchova; R4 – Sevastova/Świątek; QF – Barty/Kerber
2. Sloane Stephens (11th seed)
The 2017 champion got demolished in Cincinnati by Svetlana Kuznetsova, and she will not be happy to find that she might play her again in her second round match here. There are many other Grand Slam champions in that section and the American won’t fancy her chances to get on top of them all.
Stephens’s projected path to the semifinals:
R1 – qualifier; R2 – Kuznetsova; R3 – Riske/Muguruza; R4 – Mertens/Kvitova; QF – Halep
3. Aryna Sabalenka (9th seed)
Another nightmare of a first rounder, Sabalenka will face her compatriot Victoria Azarenka, who has been playing much better than her ranking suggests. The Belorussian is far from her last year’s form when she was the only one to really push the eventual champion Naomi Osaka.
Sabalenka’s projected path to the semifinals:
R1 – Azarenka; R2 – Putinsteva/Brengle; R3 – Vekic; R4 – Goerges/Bertens; QF – Osaka/Bencic
Disagree with our picks? Feel free to comment below, and start a discussion.
