US Open Tennis Preview, Trends & Analysis

2026 US Open Men's Singles Betting Preview

Who will win the 2026 US Open Men's Singles Title?

The defending US Open champion is Carlos Alcaraz from Spain. Carlos is aiming to be fit to participate having missed many months of the season due to a wrist injury. The world number 1 and last year's beaten finalist Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the tournament due to a knee injury. The French Open Champion Alexander Zverev is the number 1 seed at this year's US Open and in being so holds a unique record in becoming the first player in ATP ranking history to be the top seed at a major tournament without previously reaching the number 1 ranking in the world.

OLBG's knowledgeable tennis tipsters provide analysis and ante post selections for the US Open Men's Singles winner plus daily tennis predictions during the US Open tournament. Before we take a closer look at the main contenders in the US Open Men's Singles draw, here are the latest 2026 US Open Men's Singles Odds:

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Here's the current top ten players in the world at the time of writing (correct at 25th August 2026):

1. Jannik Sinner *(absent)

Misses the US Open due to a knee injury.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 184/237 (78%)
• 2026 hard court: 19 wins 2 defeats (90%), 2 titles
• US Open Best: Won (2024)
• US Open 2025: RU

2. Alexander Zverev

This year's French Open Champion and Wimbledon finalist is the number 1 seed due to Sinner's withdrawal. It's six years since he made the final here when beaten by Thiem and didn't make it past the 3rd round last year. He hasn't won a hard court tournament this season having made the semi finals in Melbourne, Indian Wells & Miami. 

• Career hard court wins/matches: 265/393 (67%)
• 2026 hard court: 17 wins 7 defeats (71%), 0 titles
• US Open Best: RU (2020)
• US Open (2025): 3R

3. Carlos Alcaraz

His chances of a third US Open success heavily depend on his fitness having missed four months due to a wrist injury. With Jannik Sinner absent and Zverev not enjoying the best of hard court seasons he looks the obvious favourite with a lack of depth at the top of the seedings in this year's Men's Singles draw. He won the Australian Open and in Doha and reached the semi final in Indian Wells.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 142/175 (81%)
• 2026 hard court: 17 wins 2 defeats (89%), 2 titles
• US Open Best: Won (2022 & 2025)

4. Felix Auger Aliassime

Flying high in the rankings but it's been a mixed bag on a hard court this season winning 9 of 15 matches, a semi final appearance in Dubai being the highlight. Has made the semi final twice here, the latest last year and with the lack of real depth in the men's draw he could do so again but hard to make a solid case for him winning.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 150/251 (60%)
• 2026 hard court: 9 wins 6 defeats (60%), 0 titles
• US Open Best: SF (2021 & 2025)

5. Novak Djokovic

One last hoorah for Novak? ... Possibly, rule him out at your peril. Much will depend on fatigue the deeper he goes and keeping match length to a minimum will be key especially reserving energy earlier on for the later rounds and anticipated harder matches. Only had 11 matches on hard courts this season, runner up to Alcaraz in Melbourne and a 4th round defeat to Jack Draper in Indian Wells. Exited early in Cincinnati in his warm up tournament for this so not an ideal preparation. Four time winner here and made the semi final last year.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 592/694 (85%)
• 2026 hard court: 8 wins 3 defeats (73%) 0 titles
• US Open Best: Won (2011, 2015, 2018 & 2023)
• US Open 2025: SF

6. Flavio Cobolli

Made his first major final this season when beaten by Zverev in the French Open. Won a hard court title in Acapulco back in February, worth noting the majority of the 'big' names were absent with a final success against Tiafoe being the biggest scalp. Early exits in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami earlier in the year and then Montreal before a good run in Cincinnati making it to the semi final. Never made it past the 3rd round here, chances are he will progress this year but overall hard court profile leaves the impression it's difficult to envisage him winning.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 74/126 (59%)
• 2026 hard court: 13 wins 7 defeats (65%), 1 title
• US Open Best: 3R (2024 & 2025)

7. Alex De Minaur

Has made the quarter finals three times here, the latest last year. Solid player but the impression is there's no further progress forthcoming, plays to his ranking pretty much. Just an average season on this surface tailing off after making the quarter finals in Melbourne.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 229/339 (68%)
• 2026 hard court: 12 wins 8 defeats (60%), 0 titles
• US Open Best: QF (2020, 2024 & 2025)

8. Daniil Medvedev

Dangerous player and previous winner here in 2021, you just never know when he'll boil over temperament wise which seems to hinder his progression. First round exit here last year shows you just never know what you will get with him. Had a decent season on this surface winning in Brisbane and Dubai, and finished runner up in Indian Wells. You pays your money and takes your chance!

• Career hard court wins/matches: 295/395 (75%)
• 2026 hard court: 21 wins 6 defeats (78%), 2 titles
• US Open Best: Won (2021)
• US Open 2025: 1R

9. Ben Shelton

A quarter final in Melbourne back in January suggested a decent hard court season which didn't materialise after early exits in Indian Wells and Miami. Confidence restored with victory in Montreal beating three top 20 players on route. An early exit in Cincinnati three days after winning in Montreal was probably understandable with the quick turnaround. Semi Finalist in 2023 and will be the home favourite, could go very deep.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 103/156 (66%)
• 2026 hard court: 14 wins 6 defeats (70%), 0 titles
• US Open Best: SF (2023)
• US Open 2025: 3R (retired)

10. Taylor Fritz

An average hard court season took a turn for the better when winning in Washington at the beginning of August. A 4th round exit in Melbourne, quarter finalist here last year, you get the feeling this is Taylor's limitations now. Very reliant on his strong serve, previous runner up in 2024.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 298/444 (67%)
• 2026 hard court: 16 wins 9 defeats (64%), 1 title
• US Open Best: RU (2024)
• US Open 2025: QF

Other Players To Note:

Frenchman Arthur Fils is currently trending at a career best number 11 in the world rankings having enjoyed a great season winning in Barcelona on the clay and in Cincinnati on this surface in his build up to here. He's won 20 of his 25 hard court matches this season, he was a runner up to Alcaraz in Doha earlier in the year, quarter finals at Indian Wells, semi final in Miami and a quarter final in Montreal. Only played twice here previously on the main tour reaching the second round on both occasions and looks set to progress deeper this time around. The 19 year old Spaniard Rafael Jodar seems to be on everyone's radar now. He reached the quarter final in the French Open having won a clay tournament in Marrakech earlier in the year and arrives in decent hard court form with a runner up finish in Washington and a semi final appearance in Montreal. This will be his US Open debut.

For more in depth player stats head over to the official ATP Tour website, the 2026 US Open men's draw when available can be viewed on the official US Open website.

US Open Men's Singles Last Ten Winners & Trends

Here's a table showing the last ten US Open Men's winners including the beaten finalist and set scores:

World Ranking

• 18/20 finalists were world ranked in the top 7
• 10/10 winners were world ranked in the top 6

Career Hard Court Stats & Slam Form

• 10/10 previous US Open best was at least a Quarter Final appearance
• 10/10 won over 60% of their hard court matches earlier that season

2026 US Open Women's Singles Betting Preview

Who will win the 2026 US Open Women's Singles Title?

Aryna Sabalenka won her second US Open title in 2025 making it back to back wins and the first lady to do so since Serena Williams won three consecutive titles between 2012 to 2014. We have seen three ladies win the majors this season to date, Rybakina (Melbourne), Andreeva (Paris) and Noskova (Wimbledon). Sabalenka probably deserves the favourite tag attempting her hat-trick of wins here however the nature of the season to date suggests her odds are about right with the open feel to the ladies draw this season.

OLBG's knowledgeable tennis tipsters provide their analysis and ante post selections for the US Open Women's Singles winner plus daily tennis predictions throughout the US Open Women's Singles tournament. Before we take a closer look at the main contenders here are the latest 2026 US Open Women's Singles Odds:

Since 2016, seven of the ten US Open Women's Singles winners were ranked in the top 15 in the world heading into the tournament. The last four finals were contested by players in the top 6 in the world so it may pay to focus again on the better ranked players as the trend of shock finalists and results have been in decline. Here are the world's top 10 players on WTA rankings (correct at 25th August 2026):

1. Aryna Sabalenka

Only lost three of her 30 matches on a hard court this season, the concern is two of those defeats came in 4th round exits in her last two tournaments this month so not an ideal preparation. Runner up in Melbourne before winning back-to-back in Indian Wells and Miami back in March. Recent form a worry but dangerous to dismiss on that score.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 326/433 (75%)
• 2026 hard court: 27 wins 3 defeats (90%), 3 titles
• US Open Best: Won (2024 & 2025)

2. Elena Rybakina

Solid hard court season winning in Melbourne, runner up in Indian Wells and semi finalist in Miami earlier in the year and latterly a runner up in Toronto earlier this month. Worryingly had to retire in the 4th round at Cincinnati in her last event due to a leg injury. Fitness will be the concern, solid chance if 100% fit.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 227/329 (69%)
• 2026 hard court: 29 wins 7 defeats (81%), 1 title
• US Open Best: 4R (2025)

3. Jessica Pegula

Solid season, semi finalist in Melbourne, then won in Dubai before a quarter final exit in Indian Wells and Miami. Her US Open preparations began with a runner up effort in Washington and Cincinnati last time. You just get the impression if she was ever going to win a major she would have done it by now. Chances though in an open year, runner up in 2024 and semi finalist last year.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 319/469 (68%)
• 2026 hard court: 29 wins 7 defeats (81%), 1 title
• US Open Best: RU (2024)
• US Open 2025: SF

4. Coco Gauff

Has had a solid season on this surface without being at the top of her game and in the headlines. Arrives on the back of victory in Cincinnati after a semi final appearance in Toronto so could be peaking at the perfect time to record her second US Open success. Quarter finalist in Melbourne, semi finalist in Dubai and runner up in Miami. Fourth round exit last year but the feeling is she goes deeper this year.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 196/272 (72%)
• 2026 hard court: 26 wins 7 defeats (79%), 1 title
• US Open Best: Won (2023)
• US Open 2025: 4R

5. Mirra Andreeva

Broke her maiden major tag with victory at the French Open this season but has generally struggled to find her best form on a hard court surface this season. She hasn't won more than three games in a hard court tournament since reaching the 4th round at Melbourne in January. Did win in Adelaide before that but overall form is very much mixed on this surface so hard to fancy going too deep on this surface but she does has more scope than many to improve. Record here isn't great either with a 3rd round exit last year being the best.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 97/134 (72%)
• 2026 hard court: 18 wins 8 defeats (69%), 1 title
• US Open Best: 3R (2025)

6. Linda Noskova

Another to bag her maiden major title this year when winning at Wimbledon. Her hard court form is very mixed though and hard to fancy to go too deep on this season's surface form. Her semi final appearance at Indian Wells in March entitles respect but that is the best of a mixed bag, 3rd round exit in Melbourne, 4th round in Cincinnati in her warm up tournament and her previous best here is a 3rd round exit last year.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 103/160 (64%)
• 2026 hard court: 11 wins 8 defeats (58%), 0 titles
• US Open Best: 3R (2025)

7. Karolina Muchova

Wimbledon finalist this season but has not played since having undergone a 'small surgery procedure' causing her to miss a US Open preparation on this surface. She was enjoying a good early part of the season winning 18 of her 22 hard court matches. A 4th round exit to Gauff in Melbourne was followed by a win in Doha and a semi final exit to Gauff (again) in Miami. If she can find that form after her procedure then she could go deep, previous double semi finalist here in the last three years and made the quarter final last year.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 163/235 (69%)
• 2026 hard court: 18 wins 4 defeats (82%), 1 title
• US Open Best: SF (2023 & 2024)
• US Open 2025: QF

8. Iga Swiatek

Arrives in form having won in Toronto in early August and then made the semi final in Cincinnati in her final preparation event. Had a string of quarter final exits on this surface earlier in the year including the Australian Open. Winner here in 2022, quarter finalist last year and could be dangerous again in her current form.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 229/290 (79%)
• 2026 hard court: 22 wins 7 defeats (76%), 1 title
• US Open Best: Won (2022)
• US Open 2025: QF

9. Elina Svitolina

Generally solid this season in the better tournaments on this surface, started the year winning in Auckland before reaching the semi final in Melbourne. Runner up in Dubai before making the semi final in Indian Wells. Semi finalist in Toronto in early August but withdrew after winning her first match in Cincinnati. Best years behind her but a tough player to beat, previous best is a semi final exit here in 2019, exited 1st round last year.

• Career hard court wins/matches: 327/482 (68%)
• 2026 hard court: 26 wins 8 defeats (76%), 1 title
• US Open Best: SF (2019)
• US Open 2025: 1R

10. Amanda Anisimova

Runner up here last year, her hard court form this season has not reached those levels although it usually takes a top 15 player to beat her. A quarter final exit in Melbourne and a semi final defeat in Dubai were at the hands of world number 3 Jessica Pegula. A run of 4th round exits completed her earlier season hard court form, she did make the Cincinnati quarter finals in her US Open preparation again though losing to Pegula!

• Career hard court wins/matches: 150/235 (64%)
• 2026 hard court: 17 wins 8 defeats (68%), 0 titles
• US Open Best: RU (2025)

Other Players To Note: 

Two time US Open winner Noami Osaka is climbing the rankings (up to 13) after pausing her tennis career to become a mother. She was successful here in 2018 & 2020 and made the semi final last year. She's also a two-time Australian Open winner (2019 & 2021) on the hard courts. Reached the quarter final losing to Rybakina in her final preparation for here and may be a danger to all. Marta Kostyuk has made the French Open and Wimbledon semi finals this season. She was a runner up to Sabalenka on this surface in Brisbane back in January and beat Andreeva before a quarter final exit to Goff in Cincinnati in the build up. Her best here is a 4th round exit last year and may improve on that this time.

For more in depth player stats take a look at the official WTA Tour website, the full Women's Singles draw when made will be available to view on the official US Open website and as always will be vitally important as there are likely to be numerous potential banana skins early on for the leading contenders.

US Open Women's Singles Last Ten Winners & Trends

Here's a table showing the last ten US Open Ladies winners including the beaten finalist and set scores:

World Ranking

• The US Open Women's Singles roll of honour over the past ten years shows six top ten ranked players going into the US Open winning the tournament and another five making the final. However, that stat is trending in the right direction with the last four finals being contested by top ten players.

Career Hard Court Stats & Slam Form

• 10/10 won at least 55% of their hard court matches that season prior to the US Open
• 10/10 reached at least a hard court quarter final earlier that season

Early Rounds Favs vs Dogs

How often does an underdog win in the early rounds of the US Open?

Whether you are looking at the men's half or the women's side, the number is pretty similar; it's roughly 1 in 4 underdogs win in the first round of the US Open.

• Men's 1st Round Underdog: 160-602 (26.58%)
• Women's 1st Round Underdog: 164-633 (25.91%)

The figures are pretty solid through both the second and third rounds, too, with the underdogs still around the 1 in 4 wins, overall from 2,159 completed matches covering the first three rounds for both ATP and WTA, the underdog has been successful 26% of the time (558).

Later Rounds Favs vs Dogs

When does the underdog record improve during the US Open?

Matches begin to get more closely matched as the tournament progresses. Round 4 on the WTA side of things, we see a significant improvement, from a 22% success rate in round 3, which improves to 39% in round 4.

On the ATP side of things, round 4 does fall in line with the previous numbers, with a slight improvement to 29% of underdogs winning. It's the quarter-finals when the number jumps to 41% of underdogs progressing to the next round.

US Open Correct Set Betting

What is the most common winning set score at the US Open?

This will differ on both sides, with the men's being best of five and the women's being best of three, and there do seem to be more clear-cut matches on the women's side.

A 2-0 win over the last ten years has occurred in 67% of the matches (842), whilst a 2-1 win has made up the other 33% of the matches (412), and the numbers are pretty consistent through the rounds too, with no standout rounds.

On the men's side, a whitewash happens much less often, with just 42% (506) of the wins being 3-0.

The other matches have seen 34% of them finishing with a 3-1 score (407), and the remaining 24% have been closer, with 3-2 scores (292).

ATP US Open Correct Scores by Round

Round 4 is where straight-set wins peak, with 53% of matches finishing 3-0, whilst Round 2 is the most competitive, with just 36% ending 3-0 and the highest share of 3-1 finishes at 37%.

WTA US Open Correct Scores by Round

The quarter-finals produce the most straight-set wins, with 77% finishing 2-0, whilst the semi-finals are the most competitive of all, splitting evenly at 50% 2-0 and 50% 2-1. Round 4 is the tightest of the earlier rounds, with 41% going to a deciding set.

Author Information

James Banting writes the words and maintains the data for this US Open Tennis Preview. As Tipster Competition assistant James works closely with our Tennis Tipsters, settling bets and ensuring accuracy in all results which are also utilised in the updates for all the Tennis Previews on OLBG.

About the author

James is a knowledgeable sports betting specialist with over 20 years of experience in the sports betting industry. Today James focuses on producing informative betting content on the major sporting events throughout the year in Horse Racing and Tennis, as well as contributing to our Cricket and Golf Content. - James Banting, Expert Guide

- James Banting, Content Editor

Other Tennis Previews on OLBG

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• French Open Preview (Stats)
• Wimbledon Preview (Stats)
• WTA Finals