Tennis

US Open seeds 2023: Who are they and how are they doing?

In the realm of tennis, where every stroke holds the promise of triumph and the roar of the crowd reverberates through the courts, the US Open stands as a grand spectacle of athleticism and determination.

As the stage is set for another exhilarating chapter, two names that ascended to the summit: Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek will be looking to defend their crowns. These stars burn brightly as the ATP and WTA number 1s, carrying with them the weight of expectations and the thrill of potential.

As the US Open unfolds once again, the spotlight shines ever more brilliantly on these top seeds. Fans await the outcome of the saga of skill, strategy, and heart-pounding moments that captured the essence of the sport. The court becomes a theatre of dreams, where the clash of rackets becomes a symphony of ambition and the pursuit of victory paints the air with electrifying anticipation.

US Open Seeds Men’s Singles

In this cauldron of competition, history is written, legends are born, and the journey of champions takes centre stage. Amidst the bustling courts of the US Open, a select group takes the stage. Out of the 128 gentlemen who make it to the main draw, the seeded contenders in the Men’s Singles stand as the pinnacles of potential.

Let’s explore the dynamic realm of the US Open Seeds Men’s Singles.

Carlos Alcaraz

Cincinnati Open Alcaraz
Photo by Icon sport

The reigning world number 1 radiates tennis brilliance. His triumph over Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon saw him claim the coveted title, and he will want to continue his dominance by clinching the US Open championship. As a young Spanish sensation, Alcaraz has rewritten the narrative of the sport, forging a path that’s as inspiring as it is captivating.

Week 1 Update

The Spanish sensation has lived up to expectations, making little work of rivals who stood in his path. Dominic Koepfer was the first one to succumb followed by Lloyd Harris, Dan Evans and Matteo Arnaldi. He has only dropped one sets on his path to the quarter-finals where he will meet the winner of Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev’s bout.

The organizers have been kind to Alcaraz so far, who will face his sternest test at the quarter-final stage. Prior to that, he had not faced a rival higher than 28 and that was the only time he has dropped a set. A battle with either Sinner or Zverev will be interesting as the duo have a win against him.

Novak Djokovic

A name synonymous with tennis supremacy, Djokovic missed the 2022 US Open but made his presence felt across other Grand Slams. Claiming victories at the Australian Open and French Open, he showcased his unyielding determination to claim 23 Grand Slams. With Nadal’s absence due to injuries, a new rivalry has emerged with Alcaraz. Djokovic avenged his Wimbledon defeat with a stunning victory in the Cincinnati Masters, reminding the world of his indomitable spirit.

Week 1 Update

Novak had to reach the quarter-finals to reclaim top-spot and he has managed that in style. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is closing in on his 24th with a straight-forward path thus far. Three of his four wins at Flushing Meadows have come in straight sets with his toughest task coming against compatriot Lazlo Djere.

Djere showcased that he is a dark horse amongst the Serbian elite and packs a punch. He took a 2-0 lead against Djokovic that propelled the tennis legend to come out of his slumber and give a clinical display of his abilities. After falling behind, he only conceded five more games to take the game 3-2. It showed Djokovic can bleed and it will be interesting what Taylor Fritz, his quarter-final rival, will take away from that meeting.

Daniil Medvedev

The epitome of consistency, Daniil Medvedev set a record with five successive finals earlier this year. Breaking his clay court hoodoo, he secured the Rome title and added to his impressive resume. Having triumphed at the US Open in 2021, Medvedev’s unwavering focus and versatile game style continue to make him a formidable force on the court.

Week 1 Update

While the spotlight shines on Alcaraz and Djokovic, Medvedev has continued to work in the shadows. He made little work of Attila Balazs and Sebastian Baez, knocking them out of the US Open after 3-0 victories. Only Christopher O’Connel managed to dent his progress, shaving a set off him thanks to a third-set tiebreak win.

Holger Rune

Holger Rune
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On a meteoric rise, Holger Rune, the world number 4, continues to ascend the rankings. His Munich Open triumph and impressive performances in the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters finals reflect his tenacity. With strong showings at the French Open and Wimbledon quarterfinals, Rune proves that his ascent is no mere coincidence; it’s a testament to his skill and determination.

Week 1 Update

Rune whined about not playing at Arthur Asche or Louis Armstrong and sarcastically gave directions to Court 5 where he would play his first-round fixture. It did not go according to plan as Roberto Carballes Baena knocked him out in the first round. The Danish star was never in control of the match and dejectedly headed through the exit.

Casper Ruud

A name marked by both triumph and challenge, Casper Ruud faced a defeat against Alcaraz in the US Open final last year. Djokovic added to his setbacks by overcoming him in the French Open 2023. Despite these hurdles, Ruud’s journey on the court remains one of resilience and growth, as he continues to shape his legacy in the world of tennis.

Week 1 Update

Ruud’s woeful recent form continues at Flushing Meadows as he earned a second-round exit. He lacked his self-belief even in his first-round win over qualifier Emilio Nava and then found himself on the wrong end of a 3-2 result against Zhizhen Zhang. More alarming in this five-set defeat was the fact that Ruud bagelled his rival in the fourth set before missing the plot in the decider.

US Open Seeds Women’s Singles

In the storied arena of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a constellation of tennis brilliance awaits its turn to shine. Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are not in the running but there are many who are ready to take their place to script their own chapters of glory.

Join us on this journey through the enthralling tale of the US Open Seeds Women’s Singles, where ambition meets legacy on the courts of champions.

Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek - Madrid Open
Photo by Icon sport

A force to be reckoned with, the Polish sensation is a symbol of rising excellence in women’s tennis. With an arsenal of skills, she’s established herself as a top seed at the US Open. Her triumphs on clay, including the French Open, demonstrate her ability to dominate on the court and elevate her stature as a contender for greatness.

Week 1 Update

Iga was dominant in her first three matches where she only allowed nine games to her rivals. However, she could not get past Jelena Ostapenka, suffering her fourth-successive defeat to the Latvian star. Unable to defend her US Open points, she will be moving down the rankings with Sabalenka taking over.

Aryna Sabalenka

Unleashing power and precision, Aryna Sabalenka is a dynamic presence in women’s tennis. The reigning Australian Open champion’s fearless style of play and multiple WTA titles have propelled her into the realm of top seeds at the US Open. As she continues to hone her game, Sabalenka promises electrifying matches and the potential to carve her name in tennis history at Flushing Meadows.

Week 1 Update

One after the other, Sabalenka’s rivals have withered away. The Belarusian star has defeated each of her rivals in staight sets, with none of them claiming a combined five games against her. Daria Kasatkina was the latest star to succumb to her, a result that not only ensured her quarter-final placement but also gave her pole position in WTA rankings.

Jessica Pegula

With relentless determination and a hunger for victory, Jessica Pegula has etched her name among the top seeds at the US Open. The richest star on the tour has given consistent performances with her fearless approach seeing her triumph at the Canadian Open a fortnight ago. In front of adoring home fans, she is a formidable opponent with 19 quarter-final appearances in the last 13 months. Pegula’s journey reflects her commitment to excellence, and her presence on the court promises to be a compelling one.

Week 1 Update

For the first week of the US Open, Pegula was in action every day. From singles comittments to participation in the doubles and mixed-doubels event, she earned victories until she didnt. With a place in the quarter-finals on offer, she clashed with Madison Keys, the 2017 US Open runner up. The latter was in complete contorl of the game and did not allow Pegula any time to settle. The richest tennis star around can still claim siverware success in the doubles events, reaching the quarter-final stage in both of them.

Elena Rybakina

A rising star, Elena Rybakina’s ascent in the tennis world has been nothing short of spectacular. Her unique playing style, marked by power and versatility, has earned her recognition as a top seed at the US Open, with Indian Wells and Rome Masters titles to her name and runner-up medals at the Australian Open and Miami Open. Rybakina’s consistency and ability to challenge opponents on multiple surfaces make her an athlete to watch on the grand stage.

Week 1 Update

Rybakina could only get to the third round of the US Open despie getting a walkover in her second match. She impressed in her win over Marta Kostyuk but could not get past Sorana Cirstea in an interesting three-setter. The Kazakh ace was on the backfoot from the get-go but stretched the game as much as she could despite prior injury scares.

Ons Jabeur

A trailblazer in her own right, Ons Jabeur brings a unique blend of skill and flair to the top seeds at the US Open. Her victories on both hard and clay courts showcase her adaptability and determination. She was the losing finalist last time around and the Tunisian’s presence embodies the spirit of diversity in tennis and her performances promise excitement and inspiration for fans around the world. Jabeur arrives on the back of a Wimbledon final heartache and will hope to burry her sorrows at Flushing Meadows.

Ons Jabeur - Wimbledon
Photo by Icon sport

Week 1 Update

Suffering from flu, it was a difficult campaign for Ons who still managed to battle it to the fourth-round. She was never comfortable in her outings, getting past rivals thanks to her grit and success in tiebreakers. In the end, 23-ranked Qinwen Zheng ended her adventures with a 6-2 and 6-4 vicotry. Unable to defend her 2022 US Open final appearance points, she will fall down to seventh in the rankings with Coco Gauff and Marketa Vondrousova taking her place.


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