The world’s top tennis talent has descended on New York ahead of next week’s US Open.

Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens will defend their titles while the likes of Wimbledon champions Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber plus Roger Federer and Simona Halep are also among the favourites.

Here, Press Association Sport picks out 10 other players looking to make headlines in New York.

Juan Martin del Potro

It is nearly a decade since the genial Argentinian with the sledgehammer forehand won his only grand slam title at Flushing Meadows. After his career was nearly ended by wrist problems, Del Potro is at a career-high ranking of three and has consistently proved his threat to the biggest names. There would be few more popular winners.

Kevin Anderson

Anderson reached his second grand slam final at Wimbledon
Anderson reached his second grand slam final at Wimbledon (Tim Ireland/PA)

What a year it has been for the 6ft 8in South African. He took advantage of a kind draw to reach his first slam final in New York 12 months ago then proved that was no fluke by defeating Federer at Wimbledon before his epic victory over John Isner carried him to another final. The way he has improved at the age of 32 should be an inspiration to the rest of the tour.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas produced a stunning run to the final in Toronto
Tsitsipas produced a stunning run to the final in Toronto (Frank Gunn/AP)

No one is hotter in tennis right now than Greek Tsitsipas, who has just turned 20. Ranked 91 at the start of the year, he now sits in the top 15 after beating four top-10 players in a row to reach the final of the Rogers Cup in Toronto two weeks ago. His wild hair, flair game and penchant for a diving volley adds up to a very exciting package.

Denis Shapovalov

Denis Shapovalov will hope to write more US Open headlines
Denis Shapovalov will hope to write more US Open headlines (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Last season’s Rogers Cup saw another young tyro with a flamboyant single-handed backhand wow tennis fans. Shapovalov’s ascent has not had such a sharp trajectory in 2018 but the Canadian is only 19 and great things are predicted. Has points to defend after reaching the fourth round last year.

Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe pictured during his win over Milos Raonic in Toronto
Frances Tiafoe pictured during his win over Milos Raonic in Toronto (Mark Blinch/AP)

Still under the radar in global terms, 20-year-old Tiafoe is emerging as the brightest of a crop of young American men. Son of immigrants from Sierra Leone whose father was the head of maintenance at a tennis centre, Tiafoe is an excellent athlete and competitor. Pushed Federer to five sets in round one at Flushing Meadows last year.

Daria Kasatkina

Daria Kasatkina shows off her skills during her memorable Wimbledon run
Daria Kasatkina shows off her skills during her memorable Wimbledon run (John Walton/PA)

The 21-year-old Russian is on the verge of breaking into the top 10 and rapidly establishing herself as a star of women’s tennis. Kasatkina possesses a bewildering array of shots that at times leaves her tactically muddled but she is improving in that department and has reached the quarter-finals of the last two slams.

Kiki Bertens

Kiki Bertens lifts the trophy Western & Southern Open trophy in Cincinnati
Kiki Bertens lifts the trophy Western & Southern Open trophy in Cincinnati (John Minchillo/AP)

Dutchwoman Bertens made her slam breakthrough by reaching the semi-finals of the French Open two years ago and had been regarded as a clay specialist. But the 26-year-old shocked herself by reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and followed that up with the biggest title of her career in Cincinnati last weekend. Must be considered a title contender.

Aryna Sabalenka

@cincytennis Semifinal here I am 💪💪💪😋👋

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Showed her talents by helping Belarus to the Fed Cup final last year, and the 20-year-old has not looked back. Hugely powerful with an intense and intimidating presence on court, Sabalenka can be erratic but plays matches on her racket.  Up to 25 in the rankings after reaching the semi-finals in Cincinnati, claiming two top-10 scalps.

Maria Sakkari

Let’s keep on rock n rolling 🐍

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These are heady times for tennis in Greece, a country with very little history in the sport. Not only is Tsitsipas rocketing to the top in the men’s game, but they have a genuine female prospect, too, in muscle-bound 23-year-old Sakkari. The daughter of former top-50 player Angeliki Kanellopoulou, Sakkari reached her first WTA Tour final in San Jose last month.

Sofia Kenin

Teenage prospects are scarce on the WTA Tour at the moment but one of the brightest is 19-year-old American Kenin. Groomed for tennis stardom, she had her own website aged five, but so far she has lived up to the hype. Ranked 139 when she reached the third round of the US Open last year before turning professional, she is now inside the top 70.