Could Florida boast not one, but two U.S. Open champions this year at Flushing Meadows? Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton both rank among the favorites to hoist the cup in a few weeks' time.
Gauff has been here before, winning her first grand slam title here in 2023 when she was just 19. The Delray Beach native has added a French Open to her docket since then, and she advanced to her first Wimbledon semifinal in July. Shelton, who starred with the Florida Gators, reached his only U.S. Open semifinal the same year Gauff won it all.
Shelton enters the final major of 2026 as the highest-ranking American at No. 9, while No. 4 Gauff comes in behind only Jessica Pegula. Both learned their paths to the final Thursday, Aug. 27, with the U.S. Open draw.
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The two also come into the tournament with recent wins in their bags. Gauff has played in two events since Wimbledon, reaching the semifinals in Toronto and then winning 12 straight sets en route to besting Pegula at the Cincinnati Open. Shelton may have flamed out in his first match in Cincinnati, but he didn't drop a set in Montreal, picking up his fourth tournament victory of the year.
Shelton's chances rose when five-time major champion Jannik Sinner pulled out because of a knee injury. He's still got Carlos Alcaraz to deal with, but the seven-time grand slam winner hasn't played a tournament since April with a bum wrist. Could he become the first American man to win the U.S. Open since Andy Roddick in 2003?
Here's what to know about where Gauff and Shelton fall in the men's and women's draws, including how to watch on TV and streaming.
US Open schedule 2026
The first round of the 2026 U.S. Open starts Sunday, Aug. 30. Most matches will air on ESPN and ESPN2, with select matches broadcasting on ABC. The women's final is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 12, on ESPN while the men's final will take place at 2 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 13, on ABC. Streaming options include Fubo, which carries all three channels and includes a free trial for new subscribers.
Coco Gauff's path to US Open final
Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff opens against Zeynep Sonmez from Turkey.
When is Coco Gauff's next match at US Open?
The time and date for Coco Gauff's opening match against Zeynep Sonmez will be announced later.
Ben Shelton's path to US Open final
Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton opens against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
When is Ben Shelton's next US Open match?
The time and date for Ben Shelton's opening match against Tallon Griekspoor will be announced later.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Here's where Florida's Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton sit in US Open draw
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