The US Open released their first seed list for the tournament that begins on August 31st. World number two Simona Halep and third seed Karolina Pliskova are expected to be the top two seeds following the withdrawl of world number one Ashleigh Barty over concerns of COVID-19.
The US Open is the only one of the four majors in which Halep has never reached the final with her best showing in ten career appearances coming in 2015 when she made the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Flavia Pennetta. To further highlight her difficulties in New York, the Romanian has not gone past the second round since 2016.
Pliskova has a slightly better record at Flushing Meadows, having come within three games of the title in 2016 when she held a 3-1 lead in the third set of the final against Angelique Kerber. The Czech reached the quarterfinals the next two years and also had a Round of 16 appearance last year.
A strong American contingent is led by Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, six-time U.S. Open champion Serena Williams, 2017 winner Sloane Stephens, 2017 finalist Madison Keys, 2019 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Alison Riske and 16-year old sensation Coco Gauff.
The past two US Open champions are also scheduled to compete in Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu with the Canadian confirming her participation in mid-June. World number five Elina Svitolina is uncertain as to whether not she will participate in the year's final major.
Former Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova, Garbine Muguruza and Angelique Kerber are all listed as playing while young stars Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova and Dayana Yastremska should provide plenty of excitement in Flushing Meadows this year.