John McEnroe picks his US Open favourite from Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff
John McEnroe does not believe Iga Swiatek is the favourite to win the US Open, as he believes freshness could be the key to success in New York.
World No 1 Swiatek is tough to beat when she is at her best, yet the Polish star admitted she was jaded as she lost against big rival Aryna Sabalenka in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals.
Sabalenka went on to lift that title and after missing Wimbledon due to injury and opting out of playing at the Olympics, McEnroe believes the Belarusian star may be the player to beat at the US Open.
With defending champion Coco Gauff has been struggling for form, Sabalenka looks well placed to challenge for her first US Open after a series of dominant displays saw her ease to victory in her warm-up event in Cincinnati.
“Sabalenka didn’t play at Wimbledon or the Olympics and that is one of the reasons why I say she is a player to watch at the US Open,” said McEnroe, who will be a Eurosport at the US Open.
“She is a little fresher than the players who went from clay courts at Roland Garros, onto the grass at Wimbledon, back to the clay at the Olympics and now onto hard courts in a few weeks.
“To me, if I had to pick a winner now, then I would be swaying towards her.
