The final Grand Slam tournament of the 2022 season has reached its final weekend, and the prevailing storyline from this year’s US Open is clear: a new era of tennis stars is upon us.
Seasoned veterans like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal may have dominated the headlines in the tournament’s early rounds, but as the competition wind downs, an emerging group of exciting phenoms have taken center stage in New York.
Let’s take a closer look at the exciting crop of US Open standouts who are left standing in the field ahead of the final weekend in New York, and are set descend on Tennis Paradise to thrill the crowds at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden next March.
The reigning BNP Paribas Open Women’s Singles champion is now just one win away from adding yet another achievement to her already illustrious 2022 season. After a dominant run to the title in the desert back in March, the 21-year-old Polish superstar rattled off a 37-match win streak that saw her capture a second career Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open.
Swiatek’s run of dominance broke Venus Williams’ 35-match win streak in 2000 to become the longest of the century, launching her into the global spotlight as perhaps the WTA’s next great star. After being knocked out of Wimbledon early, she’ll be looking to reclaim Grand Slam glory against as she battles it out against Ons Jabeur at this weekend’s women’s championship.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula put together their best individual performances at the US Open, each progressing to the quarterfinals for the first time before bowing out. Their exit from the US Open means the American women will have to wait until 2023 to try to end their two-year drought of Grand Slam titles, but it has still been an impressive 2022 campaign for the two highest ranked American women. Pegula’s ascent into the WTA Top 10 for the first time and Gauff’s run to the French Open finals should have tennis fans feeling confident that the next American women Grand Slam champion is not too far away.
After countless upsets and jaw-dropping tennis that has gone late into the night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the men’s draw has narrowed down to four young players who are all appearing in their first ever semifinals at the US Open. In a draw that has produced drama and excitement at every turn, Casper Ruud, Karen Khachanov, Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz are left standing – each player now just two matches away from securing a coveted first career Grand Slam title.
Of the four remaining men, no one has garnered more attention in the Big Apple than the 19-year-old Alcaraz. The 2022 BNP Paribas Open semifinalist has dazzled the crowds in NYC with his electrifying on-court presence, including this mind-boggling behind-the-back shot from his quarterfinal matchup against Jannik Sinner.
You saw it, now hear it. 🦻@carlosalcaraz's shot heard-round-the-world courtesy of US Open Radio 📻 pic.twitter.com/KDHqpyRHTh
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2022
Alcaraz’s road to the final will not be easy though as he matches up against American hopeful and crowd favorite Frances Tiafoe. The 24-year-old Tiafoe has made a miraculous run to his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal, highlighted by a marquee upset over Rafael Nadal in the Round of 16. Only one can advance to Sunday’s final, but there’s no doubt that there are bright times ahead for both young phenoms.
Secure Your Tickets for the 2023 BNP Paribas Open!
Single Session tickets for the 2023 BNP Paribas Open are now on sale! The stars of the US Open will descend on the Coachella Valley this spring for two weeks of thrilling action in Tennis Paradise. Secure your chance to witness this next generation of world-class stars and more take center stage at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden March 6-19, 2022.