US Open: Panel to the ladies: Kerber, Halep, Stephens are ahead by a nose

On Monday the main field at the US Open will start operating. We’ve been looking around to see what the experts think of the ladies’ field.

Florian Heer (Tennis Tour Talk): “I trust Angelique Kerber to play an important role again. The draw also meant well with her. Many of the other favourites for the tournament victory can be found in the upper quarter of the field. I’m betting on a final between local hero Serena Williams and the German. Kerber triumphs.

Ulrike Weinrich (tennisnet): The Kieler plays a consistently strong season, with only a few runaways down. She also lost her opening match before Wimbledon at the dress rehearsal on Mallorca – and then won the title on Church Road. That’s why, after their recent early defeats in Montreal and Cincinnati, there’s nothing to worry about. Kerber now has enough experience to say goodbye to the mental “tunnel” at the shrillest of all Grand Slam tournaments and to consistently pursue her mission. And should she face Alizè Cornet in the second round, against whom she lost in Montreal…this time Kerber will win!!!

Florian Regelmann (spox.com): Simona Halep. 2018 is already Halep’s year. She has finally won her first slam and can compete in NY with the certain feeling that she will still be one of the world after the tournament. That should only set her more free. For me, Halep is an almost certain winner’s tip by women’s standards, but on the other hand, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if she were to drop out in round one against Kaia Kanepi.

Marcel Meinert (SKY): Simona Halep – because she still has a score to settle with Sloane Stephens and the first Grand Slam title on hard court would be due.

Andrei Antic (tennis magazine): Simona Halep. She is stable, has won a tournament, was once in the final and then intelligently pulled out New Haven and will be in top form and present herself as the real number one in New York.

Part 1: The Kerber Believers and Simona Halep

Part 2: The indecisive and more daring