OTW Extra Email Archive - September 2026
Notes from the Tour: Three key US Open matches...
Thursday 3rd September 2026
The US Open draws have thrown up some potentially significant matchups involving our Ones to Watch youngsters…
Grand Slam singles tournaments start with 128 players in the field. Narrowing down the pack is always a tricky task. But it’s one that I relish…
Looking at the drawsheets for the men’s and women’s events at the US Open. I’ve identified three upcoming potential clashes that could go on to have big significance a week or so from now, at the business end of the competition…
In the first quarter of the women’s draw, which contains the bookies’ outright favourite, world no.1 and two-time defending US Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka (priced at 3/1). The round of last 16 is on course to pan out with Marta Kostyuk v Linda Noskova. A match-up that would pit this year’s French Open and Wimbledon semi-finalist Kostyuk up against newly crowned Wimbledon champion Noskova, battling it out for a place in the US Open quarter finals.
On the opposite side of the drawsheet, in the women’s third quarter, I’m predicting a 3rd-round clash between two youngsters from our pre-season Ones to Watch in 2026 Report, Iva Jovic v Alexandra Eala. Should they meet this weekend, whoever wins that encounter has the chance to put together a breakthrough run at a Grand Slam. Jovic is 18 years old and won her first WTA title last year. Eala is 21 and claimed her maiden tour trophy last month.
In the men’s draw, the top half could provide the latest first-time Major finalist and/ or winner. With injured world no.1 Jannik Sinner missing from this part of the drawsheet, and reigning US Open champ Carlos Alcaraz the tournament favourite, in the opposite half (just 11/8 to win again). I’m anticipating a 3rd-round meeting between two of our regular and recent Ones to Watch names: Jakub Mensik v Learner Tien. I’ve been studying the draw, and whoever comes out of that one intact will fancy a decent shot at going very deep into the latter stages next week…
None of these are assured to take place yet. But if the early rounds go the way I think they will over the next couple of nights in New York, then look out for these matches...
Because I don’t just think they’ll be entertaining, close-fought encounters… I also think they could end up producing a new ‘surprise’ US Open champion come next weekend…
Marta Kostyuk v Linda Noskova
Iva Jovic v Alexandra Eala
Jakub Mensik v Learner Tien
With current Outright Winner, Each Way odds for those players ranging from 16/1 to 100/1 and everything in between – if you’re not a Ones to Watch member yet, join today to find out exactly who I’m backing, and why…
Enjoy the tennis…
Best wishes,
Oliver Upstone