New Delhi: World No. 01 Iga Swiatek and six-time champion Serena Williams are two of the several players on the star-studded entry list for the final Grand Slam event of the season, the US Open 2022. The matches commence from August 29 onwards.
World No.01 had claimed the top spot from the list of 104 players who received a direct entry into the season’s last major championship. Swiatek is expected to aim for her second Grand Slam crown of the year after winning the French Open title as part of the 3-7 match-winning streak.
On the other hand, the six-time US Open champion, Williams also claimed a higher position on the list. Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her career, the most by any player, female or male, since the opening of the Open Era in 1968.
Meanwhile, British player Emma Raducanu is expectd to return and defend her US Open title. Raducanu swept through ten matches without the loss of any set last year, and became the first player, female or male, to win a Grand Slam event as a qualifier.
Other Grand Slam champions who entered the event include Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova, Jelena Ostapenko and three-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka.
2018 and 2020 champion Naomi Osaka, 2016 champion Angelique Kerber, and 2017 winner Sloane Stephens are other former US Open titlists in the mix.
The reigning top 5 WTA include Swiatek, Anett Kontaveit, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur. Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will also make her first appearance at a major as a Grand Slam winner.
(Avya Mathur)
