US Open: Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek threaten Sabalenka’s three
The US Open tennis tournament approaches with world number one Aryna Sabalenka facing stiff competition from rivals like Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka aims for a rare three-peat despite recent inconsistent form and injury concerns among top contenders.
Why it matters
The US Open is a major global sporting event that significantly impacts WTA rankings and professional tennis legacy.
Aryna Sabalenka’s world No 1 ranking is on the line at the US Open, where the Belarusian star will try to shake off recent struggles to clinch a rare three-peat in the final Grand Slam of the season.
Second-ranked Elena Rybakina has been inching toward the top spot for weeks and will get there if she reaches the semi-finals, but the Kazakh’s prospects are clouded by injury concerns.
Americans Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula could also pounce – if either bag the title and Sabalenka and Rybakina both falter in Flushing Meadows.
Those closest in pursuit aren’t the only players Sabalenka has to worry about as she tries to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012-2014 to win three straight US Open titles.
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