Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, Jessica Pegula, the top-seeded American, and 2026 Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova have all been placed in the top half of the women's singles draw at the 2026 US Open in New York. The draw, released ahead of the tournament's opening rounds on Sunday, sets up a loaded top half and a formidable bottom half featuring former champions Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.

How the Draw Breaks Down

Sabalenka opens her campaign against World No. 58 Camila Osorio of Colombia, while second-seeded Elena Rybakina faces Thea Frodin of the United States, ranked 580th in the world, in the first round. With Sabalenka and Rybakina on opposite halves, the two closest rivals in the women's game would only meet in the final.

The bottom half features 2023 US Open champion Gauff, 2022 US Open champion Swiatek, and 2026 Grand Slam champions Mirra Andreeva and Rybakina — making it arguably as competitive as the top.

Sabalenka's Historic Treble Bid

Having claimed the US Open title in 2024 and 2025, Sabalenka is chasing a three-peat at Flushing Meadows — a feat no woman has achieved since Serena Williams. Though she has not added a Grand Slam in 2026 and has endured some early exits this season, her record at this venue makes her the clear favourite in the top half.

Her projected semifinal path could include a meeting with either Pegula — the 2024 US Open runner-up — or 2026 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova, before a potential final showdown with Rybakina, who is within striking distance of Sabalenka's top ranking after more than 100 consecutive weeks at World No. 1.

American Women Eye a Grand Slam Final

No American woman has reached a Grand Slam final since Amanda Anisimova at last year's US Open, making the 2026 edition a significant opportunity for the home contingent. Pegula, still seeking her first Grand Slam title, could face Muchova or No. 9 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.

In the bottom half, Anisimova and Cincinnati champion Gauff could collide in the quarterfinals. Should seedings hold, a Pegula vs. Gauff final is mathematically possible — which would be the first all-American US Open final since Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys met in 2017.

Swiatek, Eala and the Williams Factor

Iga Swiatek arrives at Flushing Meadows having not advanced past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2025, but she enters with momentum after a title run in Toronto. A potential quarterfinal against No. 22 seed Madison Keys awaits if she progresses that far.

Filipino breakout star Alexandra Eala — who won her first WTA tour title in Washington, D.C. this summer and became the WTA's first Filipina champion — has already generated significant buzz at Louis Armstrong Stadium during the mixed doubles event. The top-20 player could face No. 14 Iva Jovic in the third round of singles.

Meanwhile, Venus Williams, a two-time US Open singles champion, continues her singles comeback and opens against fellow wild card and compatriot Sofia Kenin. Both Venus and Serena Williams have been awarded wild cards in women's doubles, adding another layer of storyline to the fortnight ahead.

With seven different women's singles Grand Slam champions since the start of 2025, the 2026 US Open shapes up as the most wide-open major of the season.