Meanwhile, US Open champions Coco Gauff (2023) and Iga Swiatek (2022) stand out in the bottom half, accompanied by 2026 Grand Slam champions Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sabalenka will start against World No. 58 Camila Osorio of Colombia, while the second-seeded Rybakina will meet the 580th-ranked Thea Frodin of the United States in the first round.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With seven different women\u2019s singles Grand Slam champions since the start of 2025, the 2026 US Open could truly be anyone\u2019s title to clinch. Check out some of the top storylines from the 2026 US Open women\u2019s draw ahead of the action on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sabalenka has been on a hot streak in Flushing Meadows, claiming titles in 2024 and 2025. Though she hasn\u2019t added a Grand Slam to her resume this year, she\u2019s certainly hungry to keep her crown in Queens. If successful, she\u2019d become the first woman since Serena Williams to achieve a US Open three-peat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, amid stiff competition and early tournament exits this season, the win might not come as easily as in past years\u2014especially with Rybakina on her tail. The world No. 2 is within striking distance of Sabalenka\u2019s top seat, which she\u2019s sat comfortably in for more than 100 weeks straight. Drawn in the bottom half, Rybakina and Sabalenka wouldn\u2019t meet until the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If the Australian Open final rematch were to occur, Sabalenka would potentially have to get through 2024 US Open runner-up Pegula or 2026 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova in the semifinal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Top Americans Pegula, Gauff and Anisimova all have a chance of going deep in the 2026 US Open. And it\u2019s about time, considering how an American woman hasn\u2019t made it to a Grand Slam final since Anisimova at last year\u2019s US Open. Pegula, who\u2019s seeking her first Grand Slam title, could meet Muchova or No. 9 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Both drawn in the bottom half, Anisimova and recent Cincinnati champion Gauff could meet in the quarterfinals. If the stars aligned, No. 3 Pegula and No. 4 Gauff could even meet in the final, making for the first all-American US Open final since Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys in 2017.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Though Swiatek hasn\u2019t made it past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2025, she\u2019s coming into the US Open fresh off a major win in Toronto. A famous foe to Sabalenka, that boost might be just what she needs to get back in her rhythm. She could potentially face No. 22 seed Keys in the quarterfinals. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Both drawn in the bottom half, Anisimova and recent Cincinnati champion Gauff could meet in the quarterfinals. If the stars aligned, No. 3 Pegula and No. 4 Gauff could even meet in the final, making for the first all-American US Open final since Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys in 2017.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As the Williams sisters continue making headlines, with Venus Williams and Serena Williams awarded wild cards in women's doubles, Venus will first continue her singles comeback. The two-time US Open women\u2019s singles champion kicks off the tournament against fellow wild card and compatriot Sofia Kenin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n