US Open: Women’s Preview

With Serena Williams out of this years US Open, many believe the draw is wide open. Defending champion Kim Clijsters righfully comes into this years tournament as the favourite, but there are a few other big names in form who can pull off a surprise at the 2010 US Open.

The favourite:
Kim Clijsters 7/2
An ankle injury ended her run at the Rogers Cup over a week ago, but Kim Clijsters return to full health sees her as the bookmakers favourite to defender her US Open crown. It’s hard to look past the Belgian, provided she maintains full health throughout the two weeks. A come-from-behind victory over Maria Sharapova in the final of Cincinnati will give her great confidence and belief that she has no one to fear in New York. Provided she maintains focus, Clijsters should be heading for back-to-back US Open titles.

Maria Sharapova 11/2
There’s no denying Maria Sharapova’s form of late. The Russian has knocked off some powerful players en route to back-to-back finals. However, she lost them both. The first two Agnieszka Radwanska, followed up by a rain-delayed defeat to Kim Clijsters in Cincinnati. While I cannot deny Sharapova’s form, I have doubts over her winning a Grand Slam again. I don’t see the three-time Grand Slam winner adding to her collection in this tournament, but I do expect her to make a good run during the tournament.

Caroline Wozniacki 8/1
The masters of the counter punch in the women’s game, last years runner up and this years top seed Caroline Wozniacki heads into the US Open on fine form. Having won three of her last four tournaments, she has defended herself to be the top seed. I have doubts over Wozniacki’s games at time, but she often seems to pull off the victory. Coming into this tournament with form and confidence, Wozniacki is a good shout for the title should Clijsters and fellow favourites stumble.

Victoria Azarenka 9/1
On her day, Victoria Azarenka can be unstoppable on hard court. Poor clay and grass court seasons knocked the Belarusian off the map; but Azarenka hit back with a powerful display against Maria Sharapova on her way to victory at the Bank of the West Classic. A surprise defeat to Ana Ivanovic followed, but Victoria Azarenka is rightfully amongst the favourites here and I can see her going all the way.

Venus Williams 12/1
Venus Williams says her preparation for the US Open are “going well”, despite not participating in a tournament since her surprise defeat to Tszvetana Pironkova at Wimbledon. The 12-time Grand Slam winner’s form has faded this year and the realism of not winning a 13th Slam could become a reality in the forthcoming years. The field is strong this year and lacking match practice and potential fitness should be Williams’ downfall. I don’t like to right a Williams sister off, but I am going to be bold and say Venus Williams will not win the US Open this year.

Svetlana Kuznetsova 18/1
It’s been a year of inconsistent performancs from Svetlana Kuznetsova. But the Russian should not be written off here. Capable of slugging out a victory and causing an upset, I wouldn’t put is past Kuznetsova to put a run of form together over the newt two weeks. However, she’s on the same half of the draw as Maria Kirilenko who holds a 2-0 head-to-head record over Kuznetsova this year.

Elena Dementieva 25/1
A career without a Grand Slam to show for is still on the cards for Elena Dementieva. A calf injury prevented her from competing at Wimbledon, and she hasn’t found any consistency or form on her return. Defeats to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Jie Zheng and Caroline Wozniacki say to me she will remain without a Grand Slam going into 2011. I prefer fellow countrywoman, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s chances than the experienced Elena Dementieva heading into the upcoming fortnight.

Vera Zvonareva 25/1
Good fortune with injuries to both Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka, saw Vera Zvonareva reach the final of the Rogers Cup, where she lost to Caroline Wozniacki. This years Wimbledon finalist should not be ruled out of winning the US Open. Good fortune and a loss of form to her opposition would surely she her make the final few. A powerful player, Zvonareva is capable of beating most of the competition. Whether she can resist a break down on court remains to be seen. Despite two victories over Kim Clijsters this year; the Belgian and Caroline Wozniacki remain her two biggest challenges at this years tournament.