What Swiatek and Gauff Must do to Get to No.1 at US Open

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is in danger of surrendering the top ranking, but only if she can’t reach the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows. 

Givn that Sabalenka has reached at least the quarterfinals in her last 11 Grand Slam main draw appearances, it’s a safe bet that she’ll get the job done. 

But if she falters, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff will have a shot during this year’s Flushing fortnight. 

As the defending US Open champion, Sabalenka is defending 2,000 points in New York. Without those her effective total at the start of the tournament is 9,225, compared with 7,503 for Swiatek and 7,634 for Coco Gauff, giving both a shot at the crown come week’s end.

If Sabalenka makes the quarterfinals, she would lock down the top spot regardless of other results.

Sabalenka will face Polina Kudermetova in second-round action, while Swiatek and Gauff will kick off their campaigns with first-round matches on Tuesday, Day 3.