The women’s tour has for years now been famous for its depth and parity.
US Open 2022 promises to reflect this, with so many players – including some we may have yet seen do so – capable of elevating their games to a level that could deliver Grand Slam success.
Yet there are five players set to capture attention more than most, whether it be due to their profile, their results, or current standing in the game.
We will be watching intently as they launch their campaigns in New York next week.
The world No.1: Iga Swiatek
Swiatek's momentum has slowed since her extraordinary first half of the season, during which she built the longest winning streak of the century so far in claiming six consecutive titles, the most recent coming at Roland Garros.
SWIATEK: "Doing something more than Serena did is something special"
Conditions have proven her stumbling block; she was unsure of her footing on both Wimbledon's grass courts and the slippery clay of Warsaw, struggled in Toronto's wind, and expressed her dislike for the balls in Cincinnati.
Contending with challenging conditions will also be a factor at the US Open, which uses the same ball as Cincinnati, features extremes in temperature from day to night, and has a uniquely electric crowd atmosphere.
But if anyone can navigate these challenges it is Swiatek, the most consistent performer at the majors on the women's tour. She has reached the second week at eight of the last 10 Grand Slam tournaments she has played, including at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago.
Despite going 4-4 in her last eight matches, there must be residual confidence from her brilliant start to 2022. After losing in the AO semifinals, Swiatek went on to win 38 of her next 39 matches, and has already won 50 this season.
The highest-paid female athlete: Naomi Osaka
One player Swiatek overcame in that dominant run was Osaka, who advanced to the Miami Open final where she was stopped by the in-form Pole.
The Japanese superstar, who earned almost $120 million in the past two years alone, has slipped outside the top 40 and fell in back-to-back first-round matches at Toronto and Cincinnati, the two biggest US Open tune-ups.
The last time that happened? That was in 2018, the year she broke through for her first ever major title at Flushing Meadows.
Perhaps it will serve as a good omen for Osaka, who despite lacking form and matches will soon arrive at one of her favourite and most successful tournaments. She claimed a second US Open trophy in 2020 and has won 18 of her past 20 matches in New York.
Her 85 per cent winning ratio at the US Open (thanks to a 22-4 record in main-draw matches) is her best among the four Slams.
The GOAT: Serena Williams
Osaka's profile soared after she beat Serena Williams in that 2018 final, a player herself who already owns six US Open titles and more than 100 singles match wins at the year's final major.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion is expected to be playing the last professional tournament of her storied career at Flushing Meadows, having revealed in a recent Vogue essay that she was "evolving away from tennis".
Soon to turn 41, Williams promises to be a blockbuster hit in New York, with US Open tournament organisers pointing to a significant spike in ticket sales following her heart-felt announcement.
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Serena is short on both match play and form; beginning with her return at Wimbledon after more than a year away from tennis, she has won just one of her four matches and suffered heavy early-round defeats in both Toronto and Cincinnati.
One thing for certain is that Williams will have vociferous support when crowds swarm to catch a final glimpse of an iconic, transcendent champion many believe to be the Greatest Of All Time.
The defending champion: Emma Raducanu
One of the players to defeat Williams in the US Open run-up was Raducanu, who dealt the American a 6-4 6-0 loss under lights in the first round of the Cincinnati tournament.
It was an eye-catching victory, and one she followed up with an even more resounding 6-0 6-2 win over former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.
Since becoming a global sporting sensation after her staggering run to the 2021 US Open title as a qualifier, Raducanu has struggled to win consistently. She has compiled a 15-18 win-loss record in the past 11 months since winning in New York, with her best results being three quarterfinals.
WOODBRIDGE: Raducanu handling pressure "as well as anyone I've seen"
Yet while this record might not look especially impressive, Raducanu has steadily accrued much-needed experience at tour level throughout 2022 as well as a clearer idea of what it takes to consistently succeed at the top.
She showed a well-timed spike in form in Cincinnati, which could bode well for another strong run in similar conditions at Flushing Meadows.
The newest major winner: Elena Rybakina
Rybakina went from talented, dangerous power-hitter to Grand Slam champion with her victory over Ons Jabeur in the Wimbledon final, after overwhelming former world No.1 Simona Halep in the semifinals.
RELATED: With Wimbledon title, Rybakina's emotions finally bubble over
It was a victory which resonated back home in Kazakhstan, and following all the celebrations and events, as well as an admitted break from the practice courts, she played erratically when she contested her next two events in San Jose and Toronto.
But the 23-year-old recalibrated in Cincinnati, winning three consecutive matches in straight sets before losing to Madison Keys in the quarterfinals.
As a result, Rybakina takes some form into New York, where the courts should reward her firepower.
She is seeking to become the first player to win back-to-back majors since Osaka won US Open 2020 and Australian Open 2021.
Supporting cast
While those five women may hog the majority of headlines in New York, the game's aforementioned depth means there are plenty of others who can make some noise.
Coco Gauff
The American teenager is a popular player on home soil and the world over and has enjoyed a brilliant season, reaching her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros and more recently hitting world No.1 in doubles. Currently fifth in the singles points race to the WTA Finals, Gauff scored back-to-back quarterfinals in San Jose and Toronto and is on the cusp of a top-10 debut.
Leylah Fernandez
The Canadian youngster was ultimately stopped in last year's final by Raducanu, but captivated fans along the way thanks to stunning wins over Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka. She backed up that run by reaching this year's Roland Garros quarterfinals, but it was there she sustained a foot stress fracture which has since stalled her momentum.
Simona Halep
The experienced Romanian is a two-time major winner and recently returned to the top 10 after her triumph at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto, her biggest title in two years. While she may not have enjoyed her best Grand Slam results in New York, she is nevertheless a former semifinalist and has won 19 of her past 22 matches to re-establish herself as a force in the game.
RELATED: Halep growing once again as Grand Slam threat
Ons Jabeur
Can the Tunisian star go one better at the US Open, after coming within a set of her first major title at Wimbledon? Jabeur was ranked as high as world No.2 in July, and although she has lost four of her past six matches, she has shown an increasing ability to elevate her game on the biggest stages. Her imaginative playing style will be a hit with fans in New York.
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Beatriz Haddad Maia
The Brazilian is energising the sport's huge Latin fanbase with her inspirational play, which saw her claim back-to-back WTA titles on grass ahead of Wimbledon and more recently reach the Toronto final, where along the way she upset world No.1 Swiatek. The 26-year-old lefty is now inside the top 15 and is oozing confidence and positivity.
READ MORE: The rise of Beatriz Haddad Maia
Caroline Garcia
The former world No.4 is arguably the tour's hottest player, winning 26 of her past 30 matches and slashing her ranking from 75th to 17th since June. Playing with supreme confidence and returning prowess, Garcia stormed to the Cincinnati title after coming through qualifying. She has historically struggled at Flushing Meadows, but is playing her best tennis in five years.
23 - Since June 2022, Caroline Garcia is the player with the most WTA-level main draw wins (23). Hurricane.@WTA_insider @WTA pic.twitter.com/07fhudlOXV
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 18, 2022