Women to watch at the U.S. Open, where play begins Monday:
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NAOMI OSAKA
Seeded: 1
Country: Japan
Age: 21
2019 Match Record: 26-10
2019 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 3
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 2 - U.S. Open (2018), Australian Open (2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-Won Championship, 2017-3rd, 2016-3rd, 2015-Did Not Play, 2014-DNP
Aces: Defends Slam title for first time. … 2 of 3 tour-level titles came at hard-court majors. … 4th this season in total aces; averages 7.2 per match.
Topspin: After winning two major titles in a row, has lost two Grand Slam matches in a row. If her head is in the right place, certainly capable of a deep run, given how good her serve, strokes and movement are.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play 15-year-old Coco Gauff in 3rd round.
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ASH BARTY
Seeded: 2
Country: Australia
Age: 23
2019 Match Record: 42-8
2019 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 6
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 1 - French Open (2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-Lost in 4th Rd, 2017-3rd, 2016-Did Not Play, 2015-DNP, 2014-1st
Aces: Made second week of last 4 majors, including first Slam title in Paris. … 27-5 on hard courts in 2019. … Played professional cricket while away from the tennis tour for about 1½ years after 1st-round exit at 2014 U.S. Open.
Topspin: Really came into her own this season, but renaissance started with fourth-round showing at Flushing Meadows last year. A title threat on all surfaces.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play two-time major champ Angelique Kerber in 4th round.
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KAROLINA PLISKOVA
Seeded: 3
Country: Czech Republic
Age: 27
2019 Match Record: 42-12
2019 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 14
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 0 - Best: Runner-Up, U.S. Open (2016)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-QF, 2017-QF, 2016-Runner-Up, 2015-1st, 2014-3rd
Aces: Might be best server not named Williams - leads tour in total aces (averages 7.4), service games won (80.6. … Tied with Ash Barty for most match wins this year.
Topspin: 14-3 U.S. Open record over past three years shows what she’s capable of when her serve is clicking and the rest of her game helps support that skill.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play Johanna Konta, Marketa Vondrousova, Daria Kasatkina or 2011 U.S. Open champ Sam Stosur in 4th round.
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SIMONA HALEP
Seeded: 4
Country: Romania
Age: 27
2019 Match Record: 39-12
2019 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 19
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 2 - French Open (2018), Wimbledon (2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-1st, 2017-1st, 2016-QF, 2015-SF, 2014-3rd
Aces: Winning 44.4% of return games, second on tour in 2019. … Hasn’t won a match in New York since 2016.
Topspin: Tends to play better with less pressure and outside expectations - see results at French Open vs. Wimbledon this year - so maybe will show her best at Flushing Meadows.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play Wimbledon semifinalist Barbora Strycova in 3rd round.
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SERENA WILLIAMS
Seeded: 8
Country: United States
Age: 37
2019 Match Record: 19-5
2019 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 72
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 23 - U.S. Open (6: 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014), Australian Open (7: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017), French Open (3: 2002, 2013, 2015), Wimbledon (7: 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-RU, 2017-DNP, 2016-SF, 2015-SF, 2014-W
Aces: Winning 74.3% of first-serve points this season, No. 1 on tour. … Runner-up at 3 of past 5 Slams, including last year in New York. … Trying for 24th major singles trophy to equal Margaret Court for most in history.
Topspin: Ankle, knee, back issues in 2019. Health could be key for her at U.S. Open, where she has been to the final in 7 of last 9 appearances.
Matchup to Watch For: Plays five-time major champ Maria Sharapova in 1st round.
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SLOANE STEPHENS
Seeded: 11
Country: United States
Age: 26
2019 Match Record: 21-15
2019 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 6
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 1 - U.S. Open (1: 2017)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-QF, 2017-W, 2016-DNP, 2015-1st, 2014-2nd
Aces: 11-2 in tiebreakers this season. … Reunited with coach Kamau Murray after splitting with Sven Groeneveld.
Topspin: Will be interesting to see how returning to work with Murray, her coach when she won her title at Flushing Meadows two years ago, sparks Stephens.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play two-time major champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2nd round.
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BIANCA ANDREESCU
Seeded: 15
Country: Canada
Age: 19
2019 Match Record: 38-4
2019 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 2
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 0 - Best: 2nd Round, Australian Open and French Open (2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-DNP, 2017-DNP, 2016-DNP, 2015-DNP, 2014-DNP
Aces: 7-0 against top-10 opponents, including 4-0 against top 5, during breakout season.
Topspin: Biggest impediment is injuries, including to her right shoulder, but if she feels well, should be able to make a run in her U.S. Open debut.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play 2018 Australian Open champ Caroline Wozniacki in 3rd round.
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