Kudermetova and Rybakina lurking on Raducanu's route

Emma Raducanu has avoided the top seeds in the first two rounds of the US Open but still faces a challenging path as she tries to convert her recent positive form into a first match win in New York since her shock triumph here four years ago.

- Tumaini Carayol

Raducanu, who is unseeded, will open her tournament against a qualifier. However, she could face the in-form 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova, a recent semi-finalist at the Cincinnati Open, in round two. A potential third-round opponent is a resurgent Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and another semi-finalist in Cincinnati last week.

Last year marked a low point for Raducanu as she lost in the first round after missing most of the US hard-court swing. This time, she is as match-tough as she has been over the past few years, pushing Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, to a final-set tie-break in their three-hour tussle in Cincinnati. Now ranked No 35, Raducanu missed out on being seeded in New York by just one spot.

Jack Draper will also face a qualifier or lucky loser in his opening-round match. Draper, seeded fifth, has not competed in singles since Wimbledon after being diagnosed with a left forearm injury. However, he looked healthy and well prepared during his semi-final run in the mixed doubles alongside Jessica Pegula this week.