Unseeded players of interest at the 2023 US Open, quadrant by quadrant

WATCH: Danielle Collins Tells Maria Sakkari To "Shut Your Mouth" In Spicy Exchange

Women's Quadrant One

The intriguing cluster of unseeded players in this section could fill out a tournament poster: Caroline Wozniacki, Jennifer Brady, Alize Cornet, Mirra Andreeva. And then there’s the one I think has the best chance of shaking things up at the US Open, 34th-ranked Danielle Collins. Earlier this month, in the quarterfinals of Montreal, she extended Iga Swiatek to three sets. When it comes to competing well amid New York’s cluttered and noisy environment, Collins has two strong assets: plenty of baseline firepower and a red-hot passion for competition. She first plays Linda Fruhvirtova and in the second round could meet up with 32nd-seeded Elise Mertens.

Women's Quadrant Two

The standout here is 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. She’s shown several signs of resurgence this summer, including a win over world No. 6 Caroline Garcia in Cincinnati, and a quarterfinal run last week in Cleveland. These results signal that at age 30, the 36th-ranked Stephens might well have a few more good Slam runs in her. Then again, round one is a formidable opponent: 19th-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Women's Quadrant Three

Two notable possibilities here are mercurial veteran Camila Giorgi and ascending young pro Peyton Stearns. There’s also 2010 US Open runner-up Vera Zvonareva, making a comeback at the age of 38. But I’m paying close attention to 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. I’m curious to see if the lefthanded Canadian can play her best tennis and also channel her publicly stated affinity for New York City versus 22nd-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, who in six appearances at the tournament has never gone past the second round.

Women's Quadrant Four

It’s been a rocky three years for Sofia Kenin. As recently as the end of 2020, off the heels of having won the Australian Open and reached the finals at Roland Garros, Kenin was ranked No. 4 in the world. Two years later, she’d dropped to No. 235. Currently at No. 101, Kenin’s most recent notable effort was significant: At Wimbledon, she made her way through the qualifying and, in the first round, upset Coco Gauff before losing in the third round to Elena Svitolina. In New York, Kenin begins against No. 60 Ana Bogdan, with hopes of next meeting the winner of a first round match between 12th-seeded Daria Kasatkina and Alycia Parks.

Men's Quadrant One

To use the parlance of his fellow Aussies, it’s time for Thanasi Kokkinakis to take a crack at playing high-quality singles during a major. Yes, he lost a nearly six-hour long heartbreaker to Andy Murray at the Australian Open this year. Here in New York, the 78th-ranked Kokkinakis opens versus qualifier Yu Hsiou Hsu and should be ready to give it a good go in the second round, possibly versus 16th-seeded Cam Norrie.

Men's Quadrant Two

Players of interest in this quadrant include Max Purcell, Kei Nishikori, Yibing Wu, Jack Draper, Diego Schwartzman, Jack Draper, Alex Michelson—who will be playing his first major—and John Isner, playing his last. Then there’s Gael Monfils, a man who has long been a highlight show like none in tennis, with shots, movement, laughter, energy to burn. Monfils, who will turn 37 on September 1, has also drawn inspiration from his wife, Elina Svitolina, and the great tennis she’s played this year.

So might Monfils have it in him for a high-octane New York effort? Round one: qualifier Taro Daniel, a man Monfils beat 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 the only prior time they’ve played one another (at Roland Garros in 2019). Should Monfils get past Daniel, there’s a possible matchup versus the solid but highly predictable and patterned Andrey Rublev. No matter what, count on Monfils at this year’s US Open to take part in many distinct and compelling rallies.

Men's Quadrant Three

Ben Shelton began the year with a run to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. Now, following early-round losses at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Shelton’s playing at his home Slam. First up: 66th-ranked Pedro Cachin (2-1 at the US Open), followed by the winner of the match between 25th-seeded Alexander Bublik and Dominic Thiem. Having learned so much in his first full year as a pro, this lively lefthander is primed to bring all the flair and engagement to New York that instantly made him a fan favorite.

Men's Quadrant Four

After being away from the game for nearly two years due to injuries, one-time world No. 3 Milos Raonic returned to competition in June. Raonic’s best effort during this comeback was a dramatic three-set win over Frances Tiafoe in the first round of Toronto. That evening, Raonic hit 37 aces. And so there comes a fascinating opener at the US Open versus seventh-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas. In two previous meetings, back in 2020, Raonic has yet to lose a set. Granted, each man’s career has since headed in opposite directions. But anyone who serves as well as Raonic surely will pose plenty of questions for anyone he plays. Let’s see, for example, how Tsitsipas’ backhand holds up.