The tennis Grand Slam calendar is set to conclude with the US Open and the anticipation is at an all-time high.
Players compete for the title inside the glorious Arthur Ashe Stadium that creates a raucous and party-like atmosphere not replicated anywhere else.
This is the final chance for the players to get their hands on a coveted Grand Slam in what has been a frenetic 2024 season.
This tournament will also bring an end to a competitive and hectic summer that included the Olympic Games and fans can’t wait to see who will triumph in New York.
However, as is the case with Grand Slams, there is always the potential for some shock early defeats, and The Tennis Gazette will highlight four of the top seeded players in the most danger of catching an early flight home from New York.
Which leading seeds are in real danger of round one exits at the US Open?
Lorenzo Musetti
2024 has been a solid season for Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. He claimed the Olympic bronze medal and reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon in July.
He has an attractive game and can be expected to make an impression at the US Open, but he has a tricky first round opponent in Reilly Opelka.
The big serving American returned to the tour in July for the first time since November 2023 due to multiple injury issues.
He made the semi-finals at the Hall of Fame Open in his first tournament back and he will play with nothing to lose in front of his home fans at the US Open.
Once he gets his serve hitting its mark, Musetti could be in for a tough outing, especially as he has lost his three previous meetings against his next opponent.
Jelena Ostapenko
Hard-hitting Jelena Ostapenko is aiming to win the first Grand Slam since winning the 2022 French Open at just 20 years of age.
She is always a dangerous opponent to face due to her very aggressive approach and thunderous ball striking from the baseline.
But in round one she will face a player who has a very similar game style and knows what it takes to win the US Open.
Naomi Osaka has triumphed at Flushing Meadows on two occasions and she returned to the tour in January after giving birth to her first child.
Osaka has yet to discover her best form, but she is waiting for the chance to play at the US Open again. If the former World number one can play her best tennis, Ostapenko’s time in New York could be cut short.
Holger Rune
2024 has been a frustrating one for Holger Rune. He has dropped out of the top 10 and has yet to win a title this season.
But he began to find some form ahead of the US Open after making the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open, where Frances Tiafoe claimed victory in a tight matchup.
But compatriot Brandon Nakashima has grown in confidence after making three successive round of 16 appearances in Washington, Canada and Cincinnati.
Furthermore, Nakashima has never lost to Rune as he won their previous two encounters and with the American crowd on his side, he will fancy his chances of beating the Dane for a third time.
Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine Paolini has transformed her game in 2024 to become one of the WTA Tour’s best players.
She has a French Open and Wimbledon final under her belt and is now looking for success at the US Open.
The Italian will commence her campaign against Bianca Andreescu, who stunned Serena Williams to win the US Open in 2019.
Paolini has beaten the Canadian in their two previous encounters at Grand Slams this year, but Andreescu is familiar with this tournament and it is on her favourite surface of hard courts.
She is tough to beat when in full flow and this is why Olympic doubles gold medallist Paolini is in danger of suffering an early exit from the US Open, and she will need to be at her best from the start.
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