Eighth-ranked Belinda Bencic, whose deepest Grand Slam run was into last year's US Open semi-finals, said Saturday she will skip this year's US Open and return in Rome next month. The 23-year-old Swiss joins a host of top players who are passing on playing at Flushing Meadows when the next Grand Slam tournament begins on August 31.

"I have made the difficult decision to skip the US swing in New York and will return to the tour starting next month in Rome," Bencic said in a statement. "I am looking forward to returning to New York next year and wish everyone competing there in the coming weeks the best of luck." Reigning US Open champion Bianca Andreescu of Canada, who ousted Bencic in last year's US Open semi-finals, said Thursday she will not play in New York, joining men's 2019 winner Rafael Nadal in skipping the tournament.