After a string of tournaments, the time has come for the US Open 2021 to take centre stage. Before the tournament begins, the draw for the final Grand Slam of the year took place, with the women’s singles category hosting an interesting set of matches.

Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka on the same side of the draw

Earlier this week, Osaka lost her World No. 2 status to Aryna Sabalenka. Although this doesn’t put her at the other end of the draw, the Japanese star can only face the Belarusian in the semifinals. Osaka takes on Marie Bouzkova in her opening match at Flushing Meadows.

Prior to that, she could face Coco Gauff in a Cincinnati Open rematch in the fourth round. Following that, she could face fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Sabalenka faces Nina Stojanovic in her opening match. In further rounds, she could face Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round, following which she could face French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova.

World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty faces tough road to the final

On the other side of the draw, World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty faces former World No. 2 Vera Zvonareva in her opening match. Although she arrives in Flushing Meadows fresh off her win in Cincinnati, she could face either Jennifer Brady or Karolina Muchova in the fourth round.

In the quarterfinals, she could face Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek, following which she could face fourth seed Karolina Pliskova once again in the semifinals.

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