US Open schedule 2021: Matches, rounds, dates & times
The U.S. Open will have a different look about it this year. The fans are back, bur many of the top names in the sport were forced to withdraw due to injury
It may not be the most anticipated U.S. Open of all time, when you take into account that there is a considerable lack of star power, especially on the men’s side. The American Grand Slam ins underway with some big matches already decided, and plenty more to come.
An Open without Rafa, Roger and Serena
Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and the U.S. Open defending champion Dominic Thiem all withdrew from the tournament a in the weeks leading up to the fourth and final major of the year. Novak Djokovic is the hands down favorite to take the title and win the calendar year Grand Slam, and a record breaking 21st Grand Slam to pull ahead of Nadal and Federer.
In the women’s bracket, there is just one big name that will be missing. The hottest ticket in the history of women’s tennis, Serena Williams, will not be participating in this years edition of the U.S. Open because of an injured hamstring.
Barty and Osaka on collision course
The world number 1, Ashleigh Barty, and defending champion Naomi Osaka will be the favorites to be raising the hardware on championship Saturday. Barty and Osaka were placed in opposite halves so a potential blockbuster final could be on the horizon, but Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Bianca Andreescu and Belinda Bencic might have something to say about it.
One of the biggest headlines of this year’s U.S. Open isn’t happening on the court, but rather in the stands. The fans are back this year after the ominously silent final Grand Slam of 2020.
The fans back at Flushing Meadows
Over the last ten years there has been a combined average of more than 700,000 fans in attendance but last year it was cut to zero. If we’re being honest, the tennis is the star of the show, but the fans in Flushing Meadows make the spectacle that much more special.
The tournament began on Monday August 30th, and the big guns in the men’s and women’s bracket have passed with out a moments doubt. Through the first three days, the favorites are still on course to advance deep into the tournament in the men’s and the women’s brackets.
Round two in already underway, and the third round will begin on Friday and carry us through the weekend and into Monday, September 6th.
Third round this weekend, quarters and semis next weekend
Weather pending, the Men’s and Women’s quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday of the same week. The women’s semis will follow the day after, with the fist match starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. The men will take to the hardcourt for the semis on Saturday.
The women’s Final will take place at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, while the men’s final will start at 4:00 p.m. the following day.
Osaka will play Leylah Annie Fernandez in the third round, while Barty will match up against Clara Tauson. Djokovic will take on Tallon Griekspoor on Thursday as he continues his record breaking quest of 21 Grand Slams.