Taylor Fritz, ranked world No. 4, expressed confidence ahead of the US Open that top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are “beatable.” Reflecting on his progress since reaching the US Open final last year, Fritz believes he has improved significantly across all aspects of his game.

Fritz recently exited the Citi DC Open in the quarter-finals after a three-set match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Next, the American is set to compete as the second seed at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto, opening against Roberto Carballes Baena.

Speaking about the challenge posed by Sinner and Alcaraz—who have dominated the last seven Grand Slams and hold the two highest ATP rankings—Fritz acknowledged their superiority but noted their vulnerability under certain conditions.

“Yeah, there’s always going to be openings, just depending on the conditions, and if someone has a really good day or a really bad day, it’s possible,” said Fritz. He also noted that surface speed and player form on the day can tip the scales in tight matches.

The American’s upward trajectory at Grand Slam tournaments is evident, with quarter-final or better results in five of the last eight majors. At the 2024 US Open, Fritz defeated players like Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Frances Tiafoe before falling to world No. 1 Sinner in the final.

Fritz also reached his first Wimbledon semi-final this year, narrowly losing to Alcaraz in four sets after holding a set point. Reflecting on his improvements, he commented, “I feel like I’m serving better this year than I was last year, definitely at the US Open. I’m hitting all my shots a little bit better, more consistently this year. I’m trying to move better. I’m not sure if I am, but I feel good. I’m always trying to improve a little bit on everything.”

Leylah Fernandez has signaled her intent as a formidable contender at the upcoming US Open with a commanding performance at the WTA 500 Citi DC Open. The 22-year-old Canadian captured the title by decisively defeating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2, marking her most significant win to date, surpassing her previous four WTA 250 titles.

Fernandez’s route to the championship included victories over top competitors such as Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and Elena Rybakina. Her success has attracted commentary from notable figures in tennis. Former world No. 9 CoCo Vandeweghe, speaking on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, noted, “I think she is a threat at the US Open. You are always going to play well where you have had success.”

American player Steve Johnson expressed confidence in Fernandez’s trajectory, saying, “I see big things. Whenever you can get a title on a hard court leading up into a Grand Slam… especially now going home. Some players have a hard time playing at home with the crowds and the pressure and all that. I think she is going to be doing just fine up there.” Johnson referenced Fernandez’s 2021 US Open final appearance, where she reached the final barely at 19 years old, defeating top players including Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka before falling to Emma Raducanu.

Reflecting on her Citi DC Open final performance, Fernandez said, “The match was very solid from my part. I was very happy the way that I held my nerves. I was definitely very nervous in the beginning, but I got to play my game in the important points and kind of push through those nerves.”

Fernandez emphasized the physical and mental challenges she overcame during the tournament: “If I can get through this week, through the cramps, through the long matches, through the heat, the humidity, I can get through anything.” On her tactical approach against Kalinskaya, she said, “My intention was actually to be more offensive than her, but I think at the same time, I like long rallies. So that kind of helped me to settle in.”

With this breakthrough victory and her refined composure, Fernandez stands as a clear contender to watch heading into the US Open and the remainder of the summer’s hard court season.

In men’s tennis during the Open Era, six players have achieved remarkable Grand Slam winning streaks of at least 25 matches, with Novak Djokovic holding the record at 30 consecutive victories. Djokovic’s streak, spanning 2015 to 2016, began at Wimbledon 2015 and included wins over Philipp Kohlschreiber, Jarkko Nieminen, Bernard Tomic, Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic, Richard Gasquet, and Roger Federer. He continued this form by claiming the 2015 US Open and the 2016 Australian Open titles, beating top players like Feliciano Lopez, Federer, and Andy Murray. Djokovic completed the Career Grand Slam by winning the 2016 French Open, becoming just the second man in the Open Era to capture four consecutive major titles, before his run ended at Wimbledon 2016.

Roger Federer’s best streak started with his 2005 Wimbledon victory and extended across the 2005 US Open and 2006 Australian Open. Federer amassed 27 consecutive wins before narrowly falling to Rafael Nadal in the 2006 French Open final.

Rod Laver came close with 29 straight victories in 1969, capturing the Calendar Grand Slam by winning all four majors that year before his streak concluded in 1970.

Rafael Nadal’s longest streak reached 25 matches starting at the 2010 French Open, where he won the title without dropping a set. He followed this with Wimbledon and the US Open victories in 2010 and carried the streak into the 2011 Australian Open.

Pete Sampras won 25 consecutive Grand Slam matches beginning with Wimbledon 1993, taking titles at Wimbledon, US Open 1993, and the 1994 Australian Open before relinquishing his run at the 1994 French Open quarter-finals.

Jimmy Connors also achieved a 25-match Grand Slam win streak between 1974 and early 1975, capturing the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open titles in 1974.

These streaks highlight sustained excellence at the highest level of men’s tennis, with match wins spanning multiple tournaments and surfaces. As Novak Djokovic holds the benchmark, these performances remain a significant part of tennis history.