US Open: Aussie hopes in men's and women's singles

With the final grand slam of the year at the US Open getting underway next week, Australia’s players are hoping to cause a major shock at Flushing Meadows.

While the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are all serious contenders for the big prizes in the Big Apple, here’s a look at some of the Aussie outsiders hoping to make headlines in New York City.

Alex De Minaur - 81.00

Starting with the men’s competition, Australian number one Alex De Minaur looks set to lead the charge for his country in NYC.

The Sydney star has reached the business end of the US Open in the past, with his best effort coming back in 2020 when he managed to reach the quarter-finals of the competition before a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 defeat at the hands of Austria’s Dominic Thiem.

De Minaur has been drawn against the American Marocs Giron in his opening match, with the Aussie the 1.25 favourite to progress to the second round.

Having reached the last eight at the US Open four years ago, De Minaur will be looking to draw on that experience and progress even further this time around.

Alexei Popyrin - 201.00

Fellow Sydney star Alexei Popyrin is currently Australia’s second-highest-ranked player behind De Minaur and will have his own aspirations at Flushing Meadows.

The 25-year-old has reached the third round of the US Open on two previous occasions in 2019 and 2021 but has not progressed beyond that stage.

A 1.10 shot against the 7.00 South Korean Soonwoo Kwon in the first round, Popyrin will be looking for a strong start in NYC and see where it takes him over the coming days.

Daria Saville - 501.00

Australia’s number one Daria Saville is her country’s greatest hope of causing an upset in the women’s competition.

The US Open has thrown up some shock winners in the past, with Britain’s Emma Raducanu’s title win in 2021 a prime example.

Saville has not managed to progress past the second round in this grand slam event, getting knocked out in the second round in 2017, 2018 and 2023.

The 30-year-old Melbourne resident will be also eager to make a strong start and faces Ena Shibahara in the opening round at Flushing Meadows.

Saville, who has reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2016 and 2017, is the favourite at 1.53 to progress through to the second round, while Japan’s Shibahara is 2.50 to send her back to Melbourne early.