Who are the other women's contenders to look out for at the US Open?

The 2026 U.S. Open women's singles tournament will feature several formidable contenders, aside from the defending champion Naomi Osaka. Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open winner, is a strong candidate, despite a recent slump in form. The 27-year-old Russian, seeded second, has not reached the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam this year.

Her recent struggles include early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon. Nonetheless, Rybakina showcased her prowess at the Canadian Open, where she defeated Osaka and Coco Gauff before losing in the final.

Elena Rybakina (World ranking: 2)

Another promising contender is Linda Noskova, the Czech Republic's ninth-seeded player. The 21-year-old made history by winning her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, but her recent form has been inconsistent. Noskova, ranked sixth in the world, had a first-round exit at the Canadian Open and lost in the last 16 at the Cincinnati Masters. However, she bounced back by defeating Osaka at the Canadian Open. Her ability to perform under pressure could prove crucial in her U.S. Open quest.

Linda Noskova (World ranking: 6)

American tennis player Amanda Anisimova, the current world No. 10, is also in contention. She fell to Aryna Sabalenka in last year's U.S. Open final, but came close to a Grand Slam title with a Wimbledon semifinal appearance. Anisimova has made the Australian Open quarter-finals and reached the third round at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Despite her recent struggles, she remains optimistic about her chances at the U.S. Open, stating, "I always believe in myself."

Amanda Anisimova (World ranking: 10)

Mirra Andreeva, a 19-year-old Russian, is another rising star to watch. She claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open this month, displaying remarkable consistency and the ability to perform under pressure. Andreeva, the world No. 5, has reached four WTA finals in 2026, winning three of them. Her emotional speech after winning her first Grand Slam highlighted her dedication, stating, "I want to thank myself for always believing in myself."

Mirra Andreeva (World ranking: 5)

Jessica Pegula, the third-ranked American, has been on a roll this year. She reached the finals of the Washington DC Open and the Cincinnati Open, but fell short against Sabalenka in the U.S. Open final last year. Pegula, who turned 32 this year, remains undeterred in her pursuit of a Grand Slam title. She said, "I'm actually feeling pretty good... I'm glad I got through a lot of really tough matches. As far as going into a slam, you just kind of have to wipe it and move on."

Jessica Pegula (World ranking: 3)

Lastly, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, ranked 11th in the world, is a dark horse in the tournament. Kostyuk has shown remarkable consistency this year, reaching the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon. She won her first WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open in April, defeating Andreeva in the final. Kostyuk's impressive U.S. Open performance last year, where she reached the fourth round, suggests she could be a serious contender once again at Flushing Meadows.