Get to know the 10 players with the best chances of winning the US Open, according to IBM's AI analysis
Meredith Cash
- The 2023 US Open — the final Grand Slam of the tennis season — is underway in New York City.
- IBM's AI Draw Analysis determined which stars have the best chances of advancing to the finals.
The final Grand Slam of the season is upon us.
The world's top tennis stars have descended upon New York City for the 2023 US Open and the chance to hoist a major championship trophy.
IBM set out to determine which players have the easiest paths to the final — and, thus, are most likely to win it all — using foundation models and generative AI technology. Surprisingly, neither of the world's No. 1-ranked players on the men's and women's side, both of whom won the US Open last year, were expected to have the most straightforward path to another Grand Slam victory at the start of the tournament.
According to the company's AI Draw Analysis, 19-year-old American Coco Gauff has the most favorable draw on the women's side. For the men, Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic boasts the best odds of making it through.
The women's predictions were very similar to the WTA rankings; the first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth players in the world were among the top five of IBM AI Draw Analysis. But on the men's side, the ATP's 10th-ranked star — another American — had a better draw than five players seeded above him.
Check out IBM AI Draw Analysis' picks for the five men's and women's players with the best chances of making their way to 2023 US Open final:
Women's No. 5: Elena Rybakina
Age: 24
Country: Kazakhstan
World ranking: No. 4
Notable Grand Slam results: 2022 Wimbledon champion, 2023 Australian Open finalist, 2021 French Open quarterfinalist, 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinalist
One thing to know: Rybakina was born and raised in Moscow, but decided to play for Kazakhstan in 2018 due to the federation's financial commitment.
Men's No. 5: Frances Tiafoe
Age: 25
Country: United States
World ranking: No. 10
Notable Grand Slam results: 2022 US Open semifinalist
One thing to know: The son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Tiafoe grew up training — and, at points, living — at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, where his father served as the head of maintenance.
Women's No. 4: Jessica Pegula
Age: 29
Country: United States
World ranking: No. 3
Notable Grand Slam results: Australian Open quarterfinalist (2021, 2022, 2023), 2022 French Open quarterfinalist, 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinalist, 2022 US Open quarterfinalist
One thing to know: Pegula's parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, are multi-billionaires who own the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.
Men's No. 4: Daniil Medvedev
Age: 27
Country: Russia*
World ranking: No. 3
Notable Grand Slam results: 2021 US Open champion, US Open finalist (2019, 2022), Australian Open finalist (2021, 2022), 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist
One thing to know: Medvedev embraces his role as a heel on the men's tour, encouraging fans to boo him and calling them "idiots" for doing so.
* Russian players are barred from competing under their country's flag at Grand Slams.
Women's No. 3: Iga Swiatek
Age: 22
Country: Poland
World ranking: No. 1
Notable Grand Slam results: French Open champion (2020, 2022, 2023), 2022 US Open champion, 2022 Australian Open semifinalist, 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinalist
One thing to know: Swiatek has held the WTA's top ranking for 74 consecutive weeks, giving her the 11th-longest streak in women's tennis history.
Men's No. 3: Jannik Sinner
Age: 22
Country: Italy
World ranking: No. 6
Notable Grand Slam results: 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist, 2020 French Open quarterfinalist, 2022 US Open quarterfinalist, 2022 Australian Open quarterfinalist, 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist
One thing to know: Before he was racking up title on the tennis court, Sinner was a championship skier; he earned an Italian national championship in giant slalom at just 8 years old.
Women's No. 2: Ons Jabeur
Age: 29
Country: Tunisia
World ranking: No. 5
Notable Grand Slam results: Wimbledon finalist (2022, 2023), 2022 US Open finalist, 2023 French Open quarterfinalist, 2020 Australian Open quarterfinalist, 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinalist
One thing to know: The former world No. 2 has twice become the first-ever Arab and African player to reach a Grand Slam final — first at Wimbledon in 2022 and, a few months later, at the US Open.
Men's No. 2: Carlos Alcaraz
Age: 20
Country: Spain
World ranking: No. 1
Notable Grand Slam results: 2022 US Open champion, 2023 Wimbledon champion, 2023 French Open semifinalist, 2021 US Open quarterfinalist, 2022 French Open quarterfinalist
One thing to know: Alcaraz is widely considered the top predecessor to the "Big 3" — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic — the latter of whom described the young Spaniard as "basically the best of all three worlds."
Women's No. 1: Coco Gauff
Age: 19
Country: United States
World ranking: No. 6
Notable Grand Slam results: 2022 French Open finalist, 2022 US Open quarterfinalist, French Open quarterfinalist (2021, 2023)
One thing to know: The Florida native catapulted to fame at 15 years old when she upset seven-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019.
Men's No. 1: Novak Djokovic
Age: 36
Country: Serbia
World ranking: No. 2
Notable Grand Slam results: Australian Open champion (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023), French Open champion (2016, 2021, 2023), Wimbledon champion (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), US Open champion (2011, 2015, 2018)
One thing to know: With 23 major singles titles under his belt — including a triple Career Grand Slam and a record 10 championships at the Australian Open — Djokovic is just one Grand Slam title shy of tying Margaret Court's all-time record for major singles championship victories.
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