The 2025 US Open women’s singles draw is set, and anticipation is running high for another unforgettable tournament at Flushing Meadows. With Grand Slam champions, rising stars, and dangerous floaters all in the mix, the road to the title looks more unpredictable than ever.
From Aryna Sabalenka’s bid to defend her crown to strong challenges from Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva, fans can expect a fortnight full of high drama and championship-level tennis. Here’s a breakdown of the draw, quarter by quarter.
US Open 2025 Women’s Preview
First Quarter: Sabalenka Headlines With Rybakina, Raducanu, and Paolini in the Mix
In a bid to defend her title, Aryna Sabalenka has as light of an opening week on paper as she could have hoped for, but the road ahead isn’t as smooth. A third meeting this year with Clara Tauson potentially looms in the fourth round, an opponent who has always been tricky for the world No. 1.
On the other side of the quarter, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina will battle for bragging rights, with unseeded floaters like Emma Raducanu, Iva Jovic, and Magda Linette also lurking. Considering both the surface and recent form, you’d back Rybakina to make the quarters, although Flushing Meadows has not always been a happy hunting ground for her, holding a modest 5–5 career record here.
The first-round matchups Clara Tauson vs Alexandra Eala and McCartney Kessler vs Magda Linette stand out as intriguing clashes in a quarter still led by the title favorite. A couple of worthy opponents could make life tricky for Sabalenka, but we still back the three-time major champion to find a way into the semis.
Upset Potential: Paolini against Jovic in the second round.
Quarter Projection: Sabalenka def. Rybakina
Second Quarter: Pegula’s Home Hopes Face Rising Andreeva and Navarro
Jessica Pegula, the No. 2 ranked American, leads the second quarter. Entering the tournament not in her best form, she still benefits from a manageable draw, with Liudmila Samsonova and Belinda Bencic posing the biggest threats. As last year’s finalist in New York, Pegula should be confident about reaching the second week, though the challenges will only intensify from there.
Is it finally Mirra Andreeva’s time to shine? After a strong start to the season, her results have dipped slightly, but in a section where the other seeds are either struggling for form (Emma Navarro) or lacking big-stage experience (Victoria Mboko), this could be the window of opportunity she needs to get back on track.
Among the early matchups, Victoria Mboko vs Barbora Krejcikova stands out as a must-watch first-round battle, while Mirra Andreeva vs Alycia Parks promises a lot of buzz, even if the scoreline ends up more one-sided than the hype suggests.
Upset Potential: Navarro against McNally in the second round.
Quarter Projection: Andreeva def. Pegula
Third Quarter: Gauff, Osaka, and Keys Headline a Star-Studded Section
World No. 3 and the top-ranked American, Coco Gauff, opens this quarter against former World No. 32 Ajla Tomljanovic. While her North American swing hasn’t quite lived up to expectations so far, under the tutelage of her new coach, Gauff remains a strong favorite, not only to reach the quarterfinals but to win this entire section. A potential fourth-round clash with Naomi Osaka has the makings of a blockbuster.
In the other half of this quarter, Madison Keys leads the charge. Having buried the ghosts of falling short at the majors by capturing her first Slam earlier this year in Melbourne, Keys should play with freedom and confidence. That level of tennis could help her navigate dangerous opponents such as Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova on her path to the last eight.
With Petra Kvitova playing her final tournament, her first-round match will be must-watch viewing. And of course, a first-round showdown between Venus Williams and Karolina Muchova would be guaranteed to pack out Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Upset Potential: Kostyuk against Boulter
Quarter Projection: Gauff def. Keys
Fourth Quarter: Swiatek’s Path Features Anisimova, Alexandrova and Kalinskaya
Entering the tournament as the most in-form player, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek will fancy her chances of coming through this section. Although dangerous ball-strikers like Anna Kalinskaya and Ekaterina Alexandrova are capable of catching fire on any given day, and test her resolve.
On the other side of this quarter, Amanda Anisimova will look to build on her recent Wimbledon final run and make another deep push at a major. Veterans like Elina Svitolina and Sofia Kenin will no doubt make life difficult, but this is a section you would still back the World No. 4 American to navigate, potentially setting up a tantalizing quarterfinal rematch of that Wimbledon showdown with Swiatek.
Adding to the intrigue, local favorite Danielle Collins, potentially playing her final US Open, is certain to enjoy strong crowd support. Meanwhile, early-round matches such as Ashlyn Krueger vs Sofia Kenin and Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Sonay Kartal promise plenty of interest in the opening days of the tournament.
Upset Potential: Shnaider against Siegemund
Quarter Projection: Swiatek d. Anisimova
Final Thoughts
From defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to World No. 2 Iga Świątek and hometown star Coco Gauff, the “Big 3” have ruled the majors recently, but will New York see their dominance continue, or will a rising star like Mirra Andreeva or a returning champion such as Naomi Osaka break through to shake up the hierarchy?
Who are your picks to make it out of each section, and who do you see lifting the trophy in New York? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
