The 2026 U.S. Open is underway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, with singles running August 30–September 13. The tournament has already produced major storylines, but the championship races remain wide open.
Men’s Singles
Carlos Alcaraz — defending champion and favorite
Alcaraz returned from a wrist injury and immediately looked like a serious contender. With Jannik Sinner out injured, the Spaniard has a major opportunity to defend his title.
Alexander Zverev — No. 1 seed
The French Open champion enters New York with enormous expectations. His five-set escape against Lorenzo Sonego showed both his vulnerability and his ability to survive difficult matches.
Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz —
American darlings
Shelton arrives in strong form after defending his Canadian Masters title, while Fritz remains one of the leading American threats.
Men’s dark horses: Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, Arthur Fils and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Women’s Singles
Aryna Sabalenka — defending champion
Sabalenka is attempting to win three consecutive U.S. Open titles, but her 2026 season has been less dominant. She also faces pressure at No. 1, with the ranking potentially changing during the tournament.
Coco Gauff — American favorite
Gauff enters with tremendous momentum after winning Cincinnati. Her improved serve and more composed play make her one of the strongest candidates to win the championship.
Elena Rybakina
The Wimbledon champion represents one of the biggest threats to Sabalenka and Gauff. Her power and first-strike tennis are particularly dangerous on New York’s hard courts.
Iga Świątek
The former U.S. Open champion is looking to rediscover her best tennis. Recent work on her serve and forehand has produced encouraging signs.
Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva are also legitimate contenders for a deep run.
Canadian storyline
Canada’s biggest singles hopes include Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded third on the men’s side. Canadian interest also extends into doubles, with Gabriela Dabrowski among the notable contenders.
My picks
Men: Carlos Alcaraz
Women: Coco Gauff
Men’s dark horse: Ben Shelton
Women’s dark horse: Jessica Pegula
The men’s draw looks particularly fascinating because Sinner’s absence has removed the player who defeated Alcaraz in several of their biggest recent battles.
The women’s tournament may be even harder to predict, with Sabalenka’s three-peat bid facing serious challenges from Gauff, Rybakina, Świątek and Pegula.
