Emma Raducanu: How the US Open draw could look for the defending champion

Emma Raducanu will begin her US Open title defence against world number 44 Alize Cornet. 

The veteran French star has won six WTA titles across her career and reached the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this year. 

Cornet also defeated world number one Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon in July –– ending the 21-year-old’s remarkable 37-match winning streak. 

It’s no doubt a tough opening match for Raducanu, who is seeded 11th for the competition. 

Last year, the Brit faced just one player inside the world’s top 10 but she has been dealt a tricky hand on paper this time around. 

Indeed, if the teenager does defeat Cornet, things are not likely to get any easier. 

Find a better pair of Grand Slam R1 matches than these.We'll wait. pic.twitter.com/9VkhSn9ZTi

In the second round, the Brit may end up facing Czech star Kateřina Siniaková. 

The 26-year-old beat Raducanu at the Miami Open this year, though she has never reached beyond the third round in New York. 

An enticing third-round tie could see the Brit face two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka.

However, the 24-year-old is not seeded for the tournament and faces Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins in her opening match. 

Raducanu’s fourth-round opponent would likely be one of Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka was formerly ranked second in the world, while Rybakina won her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month. 

If recent majors are indicative of anything, then predicting the quarter-finalists will be an extremely tough ask. 

Yet, if we were to base Raducanu’s potential last eight opponent on rankings alone then fourth seed Paula Badosa is the name that emerges. 

Unfortunately for Raducanu, she has ended up on the same side of the draw as Swiatek and