US Open 2024: Women's singles draw analysis, preview and prediction ft. potential Iga Swiatek-Jessica Pegula QF clash

The draw for the women's singles event at US Open 2024 has been revealed and we are in for two weeks of exciting action in New York. Coco Gauff is the defending champion after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 final.

However, the American is bound to have a difficult title defense due to her own subpar performances of late and the fact that the competition is immense. Aryna Sabalenka is coming on the back of a title run in Cincinnati, where Jessica Pegula reached the final after a successful title defense in Toronto.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is always a favorite in any tournament she competes in and Elena Rybakina is a contender when she is at her fittest. On that note, let us take a look at how the women's singles draw might unfold at US Open 2024.

First Quarter: Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula could lock horns in the US Open quarterfinals

Iga Swiatek during an exhibition event ahead of the US Open (Source: Getty)

Seeded Players: (1) Iga Swiatek, (6) Jessica Pegula, (11) Danielle Collins, (16) Liudmila Samsonova, (18) Diana Shnaider, (21) Mirra Andreeva, (25) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, (31) Katie Boulter

Expected Quarterfinal: Iga Swiatek vs Jessica Pegula

Dark Horse: Emma Raducanu

Analysis: Top seed and 2022 US Open champion Iga Swiatek should not have much problem reaching the fourth round in New York given her quality on hard courts. Here, the Pole could most likely face 16th seed Liudmila Samsonova or 21st seed Mirra Andreeva. Swiatek should be able to beat either of the two and book her place in the quarterfinals of the US Open.

The other side of this quarter has sixth seed Jessica Pegula and 11th seed Danielle Collins, both of whom have been in pretty good form in 2024. While the likes of Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Diana Shnaider are all capable of doing well, there is a good chance of us seeing the two seeded Americans vying for a quarterfinal spot.

Pegula won the Canadian Open and reached the final of the Cincinnati Open. Hence, she should be able to just about beat Danielle Collins and book her place in the quarterfinals.

Iga Swiatek vs Jessica Pegula would make for an intriguing last-eight clash. While the Pole has come out on top in most of their fixtures, the American looks in really good touch at the present and US Open 2024 seems like a fine opportunity for her to end her Grand Slam quarterfinal hoodoo.

Quarterfinal Prediction: Jessica Pegula def. Iga Swiatek

Second Quarter: Elena Rybakina and four fellow Grand Slam champions make for interesting draw

Elena Rybakina in action at the Cincinnati Open (Source: Getty)

Seeded Players: (4) Elena Rybakina, (5) Jasmine Paolini, (10) Jelena Ostapenko, (15) Anna Kalinskaya, (22) Beatriz Haddad Maia, (23) Leylah Fernandez, (28) Caroline Garcia, (30) Yulia Putintseva

Expected Quarterfinal: Elena Rybakina vs Leylah Fernandez

Dark Horse: Naomi Osaka

Analysis: This quarter is arguably the most exciting of the whole tournament as a number of players are capable of reaching the quarterfinals if they are at their best. Fourth seed Elena Rybakina should have a rather smooth run to the quarterfinals if she is fully fit, although the likes of Anna Kalinskaya, Caroline Wozniacki and Caroline Garcia should not be written off.

The other side of this quarter has some exciting first-round matchups, including Naomi Osaka vs Jelena Ostapenko and Bianca Andreescu vs Jasmine Paolini. The Italian may face a few obstacles but her form in 2024 and the nature of the draw should see her reach the fourth round. Here, she could face either Leylah Fernandez or Jelena Ostapenko, although Naomi Osaka should not be written off.

Fernandez did well to reach the quarterfinals in the Cincinnati Open, and if she can replicate her performance in Flushing Meadows, there is a fair chance of her reaching the last eight here as well.

The Canadian would be up against Elena Rybakina, and the Kazakh's quality and composure should be able to see her go through to the semifinals of the US Open.

Quarterfinal Prediction: Elena Rybakina def. Leylah Fernandez

Third Quarter: Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Barbora Krejcikova and Paula Badosa will be vying for QF spots

Coco Gauff in action at the Cincinnati Open (Source: Getty)

Seeded Players: (3) Coco Gauff, (8) Barbora Krejcikova, (9) Maria Sakkari, (13) Emma Navarro, (19) Marta Kostyuk, (20) Victoria Azarenka, (26) Paula Badosa, (27) Elina Svitolina

Expected Quarterfinal: Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa

Dark Horse: Taylor Townsend

Analysis: Defending champion Coco Gauff has not been in the best of form lately but the draw that she has received should see her not face too many troubles until the third round, where 27th seed Elina Svitolina could be her most likely opponent.

If Gauff reaches the fourth round, she could most likely face either her 13th-seeded compatriot Emma Navarro, although 19th seed Marta Kostyuk should not be written off. The 20-year-old previously lost to Navarro at Wimbledon but if she is able to play at her best, there is a fair chance of her coming out on top and reaching the US Open quarterfinals.

The other side of this draw has some quality players in the likes of eighth seed Barbora Krejcikova, ninth seed Maria Sakkari, 20th seed Victoria Azarenka, 26th seed Paula Badosa and Taylor Townsend.

Badosa has been in terrific form lately, winning the Citi Open and reaching the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. The Spaniard could face Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the third round, and it could be a thrilling match to watch, with the former just about coming out on top.

If Badosa reaches the fourth round, there is a very good chance of her reaching the quarterfinals, considering neither Azarenka nor Sakkari have been at their best lately.

We could see a last-eight clash between Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa in Flushing Meadows and while the former will have the crowd support on her side, the latter is already in good spirits and a long run at the US Open will boost her confidence even further and should see her go through to the semifinals.

Quarterfinal Prediction: Paula Badosa def. Coco Gauff

Fourth Quarter: Aryna Sabalenka will aim to go one step further than 2023 at US Open 2024

Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open (Source: Getty)

Seeded Players: (2) Aryna Sabalenka, (7) Zheng Qinwen, (12) Daria Kasatkina, (14) Madison Keys, (17) Ons Jabeur, (24) Donna Vekic, (29) Ekaterina Alexandrova, (32) Dayana Yastremska

Expected Quarterfinal: Aryna Sabalenka vs Zheng Qinwen

Dark Horse: Veronika Kudermetova

Analysis: Aryna Sabalenka returned to World No. 2 after her sensational title win at the Cincinnati Open, where she did not lose a single set. The Belarusian has been handed a rather favorable draw in the first few rounds and she should be able to reach the fourth round without much trouble.

Here, she will most likely take on either 14th seed Madison Keys or 17th seed Ons Jabeur, although the likes of Veronika Kudermetova or 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova should not be written off.

While both players are dangerous opponents, Sabalenka's current run of form should see her through to the quarterfinals of the US Open but maybe not without a fight from either Keys or Jabeur.

The other half of this draw has seventh seed Zheng Qinwen and 12th seed Daria Kasatkina. While Zheng suffered an early exit in Cincinnati, she has had some impressive performances on hard courts, which include reaching the Australian Open final and the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The Chinese should manage to reach the round of 16, where her opponent could be either 12th seed Daria Kasatkina or 24th seed Donna Vekic, who has been in impressive form since the grass season. However, Zheng's relatively superior performances on hard courts should see her beat either of the two and reach the quarterfinals of the US Open 2024.

Sabalenka and Zheng will lock horns in the quarterfinals of the New York Major in what will be a rematch of this year's Australian Open final. Given the Belarusian's form, aggression and improved composure, she should be able to beat the Chinese once again and book her place in the semifinals.

Quarterfinal Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka def. Zheng Qinwen