Tennis-Best of the rest: Another surprise in store in U.S. Open women's draw?

FILE PHOTO: Aug 11, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Elena Rybakina (KAZ) returns the ball to Daria Kasatkina (not pictured) during quarter final play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports/File photo

(Reuters) - With eight different women having lifted the U.S. Open trophy in the last nine years, the crowds at Flushing Meadows are well-accustomed to seeing pre-tournament favourites fail to deliver.

If the likes of defending champion Iga Swiatek, world number two Aryna Sabalenka and in-form American Coco Gauff falter in this year's tournament, there are a handful of contenders ready to swoop in - chief among whom may be Elena Rybakina.