US Open Tennis 2012 Predictions: Championship Odds for Top Contenders

Novak Djokovic and Samantha Stosur will attempt to defend their US Open crowns in this year's summer finale in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The hard-court classic features a strong group of contenders on both the men's and women's side, with the women's championship completely wide open.

Competition will kick off on August 27, so what better time than now to lay down some predictions for this year's champions.

The following slides break down the top-five seeds for the men and women and predict championship odds for each player.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga

Odds: 25-1

Tsonga beat out Juan Martin del Potro as this year's No. 5 seed, which can be attributed to his recent success on the tour and the fact that he reached the quarterfinals here last year.

Last year Tsonga was on a roll, especially after beating Mardy Fish in the fourth round, but then he ran into Roger Federer. Federer dispensed of him in straight sets, and Tsonga's hot streak came to a close.

Tsonga is currently competing in the Winston-Salem Open, so he should be warmed up (or tired) by the time US Open competition rolls around.

Look for Tsonga to make a similar run to last year. He's a good player, but he's not better than the four players seeded above him.

Petra Kvitova

Odds:12-1

Kvitova hasn't made it past the fourth round of this tournament since 2009, and that hit rock bottom last year when she was eliminated in the first round of competition.

After winning last year's Wimbledon, everyone expected her to have, at least, a solid showing. Instead, she lost to Alexandra Dulgheru in straight sets.

Kvitova is a very good player, but history hasn't been kind to her here. She's reached the semis in the Australian and French Opens this year, and I don't see her getting past that mark in this one either.

David Ferrer

Odds: 20-1

I've always loved watching Ferrer play, but he's never reached that crowning moment of his career. The hard courts of the US Open haven't been kind to him since 2007 when he managed to reach the semifinals.

Last year Ferrer lost to Andy Roddick in the fourth round, in four sets. His athleticism bodes well for him on the hard surface, but Roddick overpowered him consistently.

Despite his exciting pace, don't expect Ferrer to make much noise. The quarterfinals are his peak.

Serena Williams

Odds: 3-2

This is a gut call here. Williams has won three US Open championships in her illustrious career, and she's found a second wind on the court as of late.

Williams is still riding the momentum from her incredible victory at Wimbledon this season. Adding to that momentum is her gold medal in the London Olympics.

Granted, she did lose to Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open, but don't expect that to deter her.

She's my favorite to win the women's crown after her disappointing loss to Samantha Stosur in last year's final match.

Andy Murray

Odds: 10-1

Murray is coming off a disappointing finish in the Western & Southern Open, but he did capture a gold medal in London.

He made it to the finals here in 2008, but hasn't made it past the semis since. That's a familiar tune for anyone who has followed Murray's playing career, and I don't expect it to change this year.

Murray is the No. 3 men's player in the tournament, and I can't see him climbing past that point. He's not as strong on a hard surface as either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer, and he will face elimination in the semis yet again.

Maria Sharapova

Odds: 5-1

Sharapova won this tournament in 2006, but she hasn't made it past the fourth round since. Flavia Pennetta eliminated her in the third round last year.

Don't expect the same outcome this time around. Sharapova is playing solid tennis, and her French Open win this year gives her one Grand Slam already this season. Granted, the surface is different, but she's been playing focused all season long.

Expect her to improve on her 24-7 all-time mark in this summer classic. I'd be shocked if she was eliminated before the semifinals got underway.

Novak Djokovic

Odds: 5-2

Djokovic is the reigning US Open champion, but that doesn't mean he should be this year's favorite. He lost to Roger Federer in the Western & Southern Open, and that gives Federer the edge in my book.

There's no doubting Djoker's elite ability on a hard surface. His groundstrokers are still overpowering, and he moves very well.

It's hard to imagine a final that doesn't include both Federer and Djokovic in this one.

Agnieszka Radwanska

Odds: 10-1

Radwanska has made it to the fourth round of US Open play on two separate occasions, but she's failed to get over the hump.

Her game struggles on a hard surface, and there's no reason to think that will change this time around.

Last year Angelique Kerber pulled off a shocking upset over Radwanska in the second round of play, and she will have that in the back of her mind when she takes the court this year.

The same thing won't happen this year, but she shouldn't be favored to win the whole thing.

Roger Federer

Odds: 3-2

Federer has dominated the US Open throughout his career, taking home the title on five different occasions.

He failed to earn a medal in the London games, but he did bounce back with a hard-court win in the Western & Southern Open. That success should translate directly to the US Open surface.

I expect nothing but greatness from Fed-Ex in the summer's final Grand Slam. He's a proven player on this stage, and he's playing well.

Victoria Azarenka

Odds: 6-1

Azarenka enters this tournament as the women's No. 1 seed, but she hasn't fared well in the past. The Belarus native has never gotten past the fourth round of US Open play, despite her success at the other three Grand Slam events.

Last year Azarenka was knocked out by Serena Williams in the third round. As the top seed this year, she will be expected to make it past that mark.

Expect her to make it to at least the quarterfinal round.