Iga Swiatek regains US Open title, Coco Gauff & Aryna Sabalenka recapture form, Elena Rybakina struggles – our WTA hard-court summer predictions

Aryna Sabalenka defended her Australian Open title and Iga Swiatek made it a ‘threepeat’ at Roland Garros, before a surprise Czech winner at Wimbledon – this time in the form of Barbora Krejcikova.

Ahead of the hard-court summer, we make our predictions for what could be a fascinating next stage of the calendar.

Swiatek surges in New York
The Olympics were bittersweet for Swiatek, with the Pole taking home a bronze medal – but falling short of her golden ambition.

That came off the back of a disappointing Wimbledon campaign, though there is no doubt she’s been the player of the year, reigning supreme as No 1 and winning five big titles.

Swiatek has had success in New York previously, winning the US Open in 2022, and she is one of the favourites heading in.

With time to rest after Paris and conditions that suit her, we think a sixth Grand Slam title could head her way.

No title defence for Gauff – but she still stars
World No 2 Coco Gauff will be the face of the US Open, a year on from winning her first Grand Slam title on home soil in New York.

After a strong start to 2024, her form has dipped a little recently, falling early at Wimbledon and the Olympics – with her forehand starting to look vulnerable once again.

Pressure is on her to defend titles in New York – and Cincinnati before that – but she has proven she can play well at those events, and handle home expectations.

We expect her to star once again and still go deep at multiple events this summer.