Five bold US Open predictions

(Getty/Scott Taetsch)

The final major of the year is almost upon us, and it will be sure to provide a plethora of narratives for tennis journalists and fans alike to discuss for the rest of 2025.

Something special always seems to take place in Flushing Meadows, whether it be a first-time winner, an unlikely deep run or an exhilarating match.

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Here are some bold predictions for the pulsating tournament ahead in the city that never sleeps.

Two Aussie men to make the singles quarter-final

Alex de Minaur enjoyed a stellar 2024 and even managed to progress to the final eight last year despite being injured. Following his recent run of form in Washington and Toronto, you would back him to go deep once more.

The 26-year-old has secured a vital top eight seeding, something that he was unable to obtain at Wimbledon, where he faced Novak Djokovic in the fourth round and fell in a tight tussle.

The speed of the courts in New York tends to favour the man affectionately known as the 'Demon', and the way that he has moved in recent months sees him primed for a tilt at back-to-back US Open quarters.

He leads the tour for hard court wins in 2025, and he looks destined for another positive run in the States.

His fellow New South Welshman, Alexei Popyrin, adores the quick North American courts, having won his sole Masters 1000 in Montreal last year before backing it up with a huge win over Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open.

Popyrin feeds off crowd energy, and with his booming game, and with the recent quarter-final in Toronto, defeating the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune, he could be in touching distance of a breakthrough performance at a major.

With that, an Aussie man to make the semis

Australia has not had a US Open men's singles semi-finalist since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005, and if the prediction of de Minaur and Popyrin is true, you could argue that one of them will surely break the 20-year drought.

Of course, that depends on draws. Popyrin will go in unseeded and could meet the dreaded fate of taking on Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz in the first round, but de Minaur has the top eight seeding luxury and might have a more open draw than previously.

But it just feels like the type of event where an Australian might just make the final four.

Is 2025 the year?

Sabalenka to go without a Grand Slam in 2025

Aryna Sabalenka has been mighty in majors in 2025, reaching the final at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, as well as the semis at Wimbledon.

Three Americans have overcome her in Madison Keys, Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova, all in three sets and all classics, and she deserves to be the rightful favourite as she strives to defend her title.

The world No.1 has been nothing short of brilliant this year, but Iga Świątek's resurgence has set her in solid stead for a shot at her second US Open crown, not to mention 2023 champion Gauff and 2024 runner-up Jessica Pegula, not to mention the strong recent form of 2018 and 2020 winner Naomi Osaka.

Sabalenka has been dominant for a good portion of the year, and should she go without a Slam, would that make 2025 a failure for the Belarusian?

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Mirra Andreeva to reach first major final

Having never surpassed the second round at the US Open, teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva will be desperate to launch into a deep campaign in New York.

Fresh off a quarter-final performance at Wimbledon, the 18-year-old is primed to push for her first Grand Slam title, having previously reached the semis in Paris last year.

She brings tenacity, skill and competitiveness that are all blossoming, and she is continuing to develop into a mighty player that will terrorise her opponents for the next decade and beyond.

While she is yet to make that leap into a major decider, this is her best chance yet.

Sinner and Alcaraz to meet in another major final

This might not seem bold, but it has been an eternity since two players have met in three consecutive major finals in the same year, which is exactly what Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will aim to do in New York.

Their last match at Arthur Ashe Stadium proved to be the start of the next epic rivalry, and Roland Garros solidified that their level is unparalleled.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played in four straight major finals from Wimbledon 2011 to Roland Garros 2012.

Can these two do the same?

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