US OPEN 2023: Aryna Sabalenka is My Pick to Win Her First US Open Title

 

Both Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are worthy adversaries to fight for the US Open 2023 women's singles title.  Both have shown the best plays in each of the rounds, showing a determination to at least reach the final.  

Gauff aims for a maiden grand slam title while Aryna is looking to follow up on her Australian Open trophy earlier this year.

It's going to be an interesting match as Gauff has shown so much improvement in her game since her Roland Garros final.  She's more aggressive, she takes the initiative to make the points and she definitely has more weapons now to fight an all out attacker like Sabalenka.

Today, Sabalenka neutralized Madison Keys amazing play by bouncing back in the last four games in the second set, and then dominated the 10-point tiebreaker in the third set.  She has really been tested.

Personally, I am rooting for Aryna since she has shown so much tenacity even when she was down.  I think she can play anything Coco Gauff will throw at her.  Even when she's down, she can still claw her way back to win a match.

Can she do it again with Coco?

US OPEN 2023: THE SEMIFINAL LINEUP IS COMPLETE IN THE WOMEN'S SINGLES

 

US OPEN 2023: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz my picks for the men's singles finals

 

My Personal Picks to win the Men's and Women's Singles Titles in the 2023 US Open

In my Youtube channel, I have picked Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka to be the favorites to win the men's and women's singles titles in this year's US Open, basing it on their performance during the fortnight.  In my opinion, they are the players to beat.

However, my personal favorites are different.  I rarely go for Americans, and having two African-Americans is even rarer, especially on the men's side, but this year, it is different.

I have been a big fan of Madison Keys since before but since she does not consistently reach the deeper part of the slams, I could not cheer for her always. 

But she is playing really great here in Flushing Meadows.  I could even bet if she can neutralize Aryna's game, she could reach the finals and have a real showdown with Coco Gauff!

But I will definitely be cheering for her in the semi's and if she does make it to the finals, I hope she finally wins her first grand slam.

As for Ben Shelton, just like any new fan, I am impressed at how he has handled the pressure of beating top players like Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe.  He now handles his biggest test yet, the GOAT, Novak Djokovic.  

I will be rooting for him as Novak already has a built in fan club and he has the mental stamina to go the distance of a five set match.

I just hope Ben Shelton does not fold under the pressure of handling a first grand slam semifinal.  But I feel he has the weapons to beat Novak, question is,  is he physically fit to last five sets, and does he have the mental stamina to play at such a high level over a period of four to five hours?

We'll soon see tomorrow.

 

The Ruling Class, The Pretenders to the Throne, and the Next Gen All Vie to Be King of Tennis in New York

To get ahead of Roger and Rafa in terms of grand slam titles won, Novak needs this US Open title to lay his claim as the GOAT of men's tennis.  

The earlier he does it, the less pressure he would feel, especially in this tournament, where Roger and Rafa are glaringly absent.  If he doesn't take advantage of the moment, too many permutations in the draw could complicate future grand slam tries.

To add high drama to it all, is that Novak has to take revenge on the player who denied him of his golden grand slam dream.  We will see soon if Novak dismantles Zverev in the semi's or the German dismantles the Serbian again, for the second consecutive grand slam tier tournament.

I am not really a Novak fan and I love how Zverev plays. He is playing at such a high level now, and his Olympic gold medal has certainly made him feel he belongs to that exclusive club of grand slam champions.  

I will be cheering for him in the semi's and I am sure Novak will give him a handful.

On the other side of the draw, I am very happy that Felix Auger-Aliassime, is giving Canadian tennis, a great boost.  He is finally showing the world what he can do and is slowly showing the promise of a wonderful talent.  He is actually well-rested, as his QF match with Alcaraz did not reach a full set, with the latter retiring.

This should make him fresh and fighting against the Russian Daniil Medvedev.  I have always felt that Daniil is already way due for a grand slam title - and he has come to Flushing Meadows ready to fight.  He also has more experience over the Canadian at this stage of a slam, so this should be a match for him to lose by his racket.

I am looking forward to a Zverev - Medvedev final. How about you?  Who are you rootinn 

Two of These Female Warriors will Slug it Out to Become Queen of Tennis in New York

Naomi Osaka should get her act together, and quick! What this US Open has revealed is that there are many other younger players who are out to take her place if she doesn't get her s**t together.

I am a fan of Naomi that is why I am saying this, and it will be such a big waste for women's tennis if she lamely just complains about her mental health issues.  She can very well afford the best sports psychologist in the world - and she should do that - because women's tennis will be much richer for it - if we have all the world's best competing in all the grand slams.

Now back to the hungry female warriors for the women's singles title in New York.

They all battled their way to get to the semi-finals and they all have fascinating back stories.  And one of them is going to be elevated to champion status for the first time - by winning in Flushing Meadows.

Well, basing on her grit and her Houdini-like way of scrapping through a tight situation, i think this should be Leylah Fernandez's coming out party.  

I am amazed at how she battled top player after top player - to reach the semifinal stage - Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and Elina Svitolina - all tennis b****hes of the highest order.

Her third set tiebreaker with Svitolina in the QFs was by far, for me, her most incredible display of how tough she is. I was so impressed Leylah never backed down.

It also helps a lot that her mixed race background gives her a unique charm - and yes - another top non-white player in a sport long dominated by white people.

I love Aryna Sabalenka, and her #2 ranking should make her the favorite to win this year's title, but i will be cheering more for Leylah Friday morning, Manila time.

As for the other side of the draw, I am charmed by the wily ways of British player, Emma Raducanu, who, in only her second grand slam, has already reached the semi-final.  Her fragile slim figure hides her tough way of playing and she has enough confidence to really get her through to a title finish.

However, I am rooting for the scrappy, a bit masculine-like Greek player, Maria Sakkari.  Maria has fought hard in many of her grand slam tournaments, and now, finally, the stars have all aligned, and with wins over marquee names like Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu, and Karolina Pliskova, her wins over them, should give her the confidence she needs to get it to a higher level - even possibly - a grand slam title!

Just like Leylah Fernandez, she had to fight her way to beat three top players - to get to where she is - and she has shown incredible fighting spirit at very tight moments, most especially in her match against the former champion - Andreescu.

So, for me, I am looking forward to a Sakkari - Fernandez final.  How about you?  Who are you cheering for?