Kim Clijsters Backs Arthur Fils for US Open Glory After Cincinnati Triumph: “Carlos Alcaraz Is Not Fully Back Yet”

Carlos Alcaraz is back. In the mixed doubles event at the US Open, he played his first official match since the Barcelona Open, as a wrist injury saw him miss quite a few tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon.

But as he will be entering the US Open singles events without match practice in singles, he will not be the overwhelming favorite to defend his title, even though his arch-rival Jannik Sinner withdrew due to a knee injury. Former WTA World No.1 Kim Clijsters made a bold prediction, backing a player to win the New York Slam even though he has never made it past the fourth round of any Grand Slam tournament.

And the player is Arthur Fils. The Frenchman recently clinched his career’s first Big Title at the Cincinnati Masters by defeating home favorite Frances Tiafoe.

I don’t I mean especially with Sinner now being out, I feel it’s so wide open and I think we talked about this last week that there’s a lot of players that are going to these big tournaments now that believe like, ‘Hey, Alcaraz is back but maybe he’s not fully back yet and Sinner’s not in the draw, like, I have a chance’.

Kim Clijsters said on her Love All podcast

Fils has made the fourth round of a Major just once, at the 2024 Wimbledon. This season, he has appeared in only one Major (Wimbledon), skipping the Australian Open and the French Open due to injury issues. At Wimbledon, he lost in the second round.

So it’s just really hard to predict, and I don’t know, like, you would think, on one side, with Arthur playing so well in Cincinnati, but then I think, like, oh, is it maybe too soon for him to win the battle of the long matches… And, but I do think he’s a player who loves the energy of New York, and I think he can really rise above himself because of the vibe that New York brings, especially in the night matches. I’m going to go with Arthur Fils on the men’s side.

Kim Clijsters added

Alcaraz, last year, beat Sinner to win his second title in the tournament. He will be chasing his third title of the season after wins at the Australian Open and the Qatar Open.

Kim Clijsters calls Coco Gauff the favorite to win the US Open

On the women’s side, Kim Clijsters picked Coco Gauff as the favorite to win the US Open. She ended her title drought at the Cincinnati Open by beating countrywoman Jessica Pegula.

And I’m going to stick to a player I name very often, as I love watching her play, and go with Coco Gauff.

Kim Clijsters said on her Love All podcast

Gauff, in fact, already has one US Open title to her name. It was in her home Slam back in 2023 that the 22-year-old beat Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka beat Pegula and Amanda Anisimova in the finals in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and will be chasing a three-peat this time. Gauff lost in the fourth round last year, and last won a Major at the 2025 French Open by beating Sabalenka.

The Belarusian ace is on the verge of losing her No.1 ranking, as since completing the Sunshine Double in Miami, she has reached just one semifinal (Berlin). Only the US Open title now can save her position. Gauff has a chance to reach her career-best ranking of No.1 if she clinches the US Open title and World No.2 Elena Rybakina loses before the semifinals.

Also read: Elena Rybakina Provides Injury Update Ahead of US Open: “I Don’t Want to Rush”