Iga Swiatek's quest for a second US Open title kicks off on Tuesday against Lucky Loser Kamilla Rakhimova at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The World No. 1 has suffered a pair of setbacks since winning a third straight French Open title, and she seeks a strong start against her Russian opponent.
Match preview
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Although Swiatek's most significant victories have come on clay and hard courts, the 2024 Wimbledon draw, weakened by injury-enforced withdrawals and early eliminations of potential contenders, offered the Polish player hope of claiming her first Slam at the Championships.
However, the top seed fell to Yulia Putintseva in round three at SW19, exiting disappointingly at the third major of the year.
The 23-year-old has since had to make do with a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics despite entering as favourite on the Paris clay before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final at the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati.
Despite losing to Sabalenka in Cincy, Swiatek will take positives from seemingly acclimating to hard courts so soon after her deep run at the Olympics and will aim to push for a second title in New York, two years after her 2022 triumph, to bounce back from last year's fourth-round loss to Jelena Ostapenko.
Only at the French Open (95%) does Swiatek have a better win percentage than she has at the US Open (80%), and the top seed hopes to begin the final Slam positively.
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Standing in her way is the world No. 104, who aims to cause one of the biggest shocks in US Open history by knocking out the best player on the women's Tour.
Rakhimova has had it rough at Flushing Meadows in recent years, underscored by three straight first-round losses since reaching the third in 2021.
Since notching two victories on her US Open debut three years back, the 22-year-old has fallen to two consecutive defeats in the opening round, and many observers expect a third straight loss against Swiatek.
Rakhimova had thought a fourth straight appearance in New York was gone after losing to Priscilla Hon in qualifying, only for the Russian to enter the main draw after Ons Jabeur withdrew on the eve of the tournament due to a shoulder injury.
Only at the French Open (seven matches) has she played more matches at a major in her embryonic career, and the Russian hopes to have a go in Tuesday's round-one encounter against Swiatek in her seventh match at Flushing Meadows.
Head To Head
Tuesday's first-round match-up will be the first time both women have played on the WTA Tour, with Swiatek the overwhelming favourite.
The Polish player has won 50 of her 56 matches in 2024, staggeringly superior to Rakhimova, who has notched 21 wins in 45.
Swiatek already has five titles this year and is chasing a sixth in New York.
We say: Swiatek to win in two sets
Barring a shock outcome in their first-ever match-up, Swiatek is expected to get this one done in straight sets having had the event in Cincinnati to acclimate to the surface after the grass-court season and the Paris Olympics on clay.
