Can Emma Raducanu defend her US Open title? – 5 things to look out for

Five things to look out for at the US Open.

The final grand slam of the year kicks off on Monday when the US Open gets under way at Flushing Meadows.

Novak Djokovic’s refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19 means he again misses out, with Emma Raducanu and Daniil Medvedev defending their titles.

Here, the PA news agency picks out five storylines to look out for in New York.

Raducanu returns

Not even in the most crazy dream could Emma Raducanu have foreseen how the next year would play out when she took her place in qualifying at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago. The unbelievable high of her first grand slam title has been followed by the inevitable struggles to adjust to life as a full-time tennis player in the full glare of the spotlight. Raducanu at least goes into the tournament with some good form behind her after victories over Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams in Cincinnati last week while the US Open balls, derided by Iga Swiatek among others, play to her strengths. She has a tricky first-round draw against wily Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

Serena bids farewell

Serena Williams during a practice session in New York (Seth Wenig/AP)

Open season

Unpredictable women’s draws have been a grand slam staple over the last few years – since Williams’ last title in 2017, 14 different women have won slam singles titles. That has been in direct contrast to the men’s game, still dominated by the same cohort of aging superstars. But this tournament could well be different. Rafael Nadal has played just one match since pulling out of Wimbledon with an abdominal injury, world number one Daniil Medvedev has not been in great form and none of the other contenders particularly stand out.

Norrie looking for more

Cameron Norrie will look to build on his run at Wimbledon (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Teenage kicks

Raducanu’s phenomenal run 12 months ago gave belief to every young player hoping to go big. In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff is already a proven performer at 18 but Dane Clara Tauson and the Chinese triumvirate of Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xiyu and Wang Xinyu could all be names to look out for as well as – if she makes it through qualifying – 17-year-old Czech Linda Noskova. Carlos Alcaraz of course leads the charge for the men, backed up by 19-year-old Dane Holger Rune and Britain’s 20-year-old Jack Draper.