Frances Tiafoe seems to be peaking at just the right time to make another inspired run at the US Open this year.
After his run to the Cincinnati final last week, Tiafoe is back inside the top 20 in the ATP rankings along with four other Americans all looking to forge their path at Flushing Meadows this year.
However, there is also anticipation for American success on the women’s side too.
Coco Gauff will need to bounce back from her recent disappointment in time to give herself the best shot at defending the success she achieved in 2023.
She soared to glory in New York last year as she became the first American teenager to triumph on home soil since Serena Williams in 1999.
Which women does Frances Tiafoe think can win the US Open?
Coco Gauff has struggled in recent months, with early exits at the Olympics, in Toronto, and in Cincinnati, creating a cloud of doubt over her upcoming run at the US Open.
However, when asked by Tennis Channel who he thinks can flourish on the women’s side, Frances Tiafoe maintained confidence in his compatriot.
“It’s popcorn at the Open bro,” Tiafoe said. “Coco [Gauff] is my 1A and I’m going to go 1B – [Aryna] Sabalenka.”
- READ MORE: The full US Open draw
Who is the favorite for the US Open?
While question marks loom over Gauff’s performances as of late, there seem to be no doubts over Aryna Sabalenka and her chances of avenging the loss suffered in last year’s US Open final.
She was forced to rue missed opportunities as her American opponent overturned a set deficit to clinch victory.
However, Sabalenka is back to her blistering best after clinching the title in Cincinnati last week without dropping a set.
This comes at an opportune time to not only avenge her 2023 heartbreak but to also add a new major title to her back-to-back triumphs at the Australian Open.
In doing so, Sabalenka would become the fourth woman in this century to achieve the Cincinnati-US Open double in the same year.
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