U.S. Open 2010 Odds: The 20 Women Most Likely to Win on the Hardcourt
Rounding out the Grand Slam schedule is the US Open. The tournament, held in Queens, New York is the only major to have final set tiebreaks, adding a little interesting wrinkle to the proceedings.
In recent years, the women's field has become wide open with the Williams sisters sort of fading a little bit, focusing on other things in their lives and some injuries along the way. Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament, making it even more open for the field.
With that in mind, here are the top 20 women who have a shot to be the final player standing when it's all said and done. Below my thoughts will be the Vegas odds for each player to get a feel of how my opinions and theirs stack up.
#20: Alisa Kleybanova
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Kleybanova has had the best year of her career in 2010. She won her first tournament in February, defeating 2009 US Open winner Kim Cijisters en route to the victory.
In each of the previous three grand slam events, Kleybanova has been bounced in the third rounds -- a stage she had only reached twice in the previous two years.
However, Kleybanova has only won once at the US Open and is 1-2 lifetime.
Odds: 80/1
#19: Nadia Petrova
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The former No. 3 ranked player in the world has shown flashes of the form that has gotten her to two semi-finals at grand slams in her career.
Petrova reached the quarterfinals of both the Australian and French opens and is 10-3 in grand slams this year.
However, I think the best tennis is behind Petrova and she'll be eliminated early in the tournament.
Odds: 80/1
#18: Marion Bartoli
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The best French player in the world, Bartoli has shown that she's able to hang with the best players in the world.
Twice Bartoli has defeated reigning top-ranked players. First it was Justine Henin in the semis of the 2007 Wimbledon and it was Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round of the 2009 Australian Open.
However, Bartoli has only been to the quarters or beyond at a grand slam twice in her career and I don't believe she's consistent enough to get the job done.
Odds: 66/1
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#17: Agnieszka Radwanska
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Radwanska is trying to improve on what has been a rather mediocre year in grand slams so far.
Radwanska is 6-3 in slams, just two years removed from a 14-4 showing including two quarterfinal appearances.
She was seeded in the top eight of a grand slam for the first time at this year's French Open and was promptly eliminated in the second round. I see no reason why Radwanska's disappointing season won't continue.
Odds: 50/1
#16: Yanina Wickmayer
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I don't have high hopes for Wickmayer heading into the Open. In fact, I expect an early exit for the Belgian.
Wickmayer has never advanced further than the fourth round of a grand slam event and has a 13-10 lifetime record in slams. With a showing like that, unless a miracle happens, I don't see her really making a push deep into the tournament.
Wickmayer will flame out quickly to one of the top seeds.
Odds: 50/1
#15: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
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To say Pavlyuchenkova has struggled at the US Open would be a slight understatement.
The Russian is 2-3 lifetime at the event while being at least .500 or better at the other three slams. I don't have any faith in her to change history and make a deep run at the event.
While it's happened before in the women's field, there's just something about the event that has her number. Look for an early exit.
Odds: 40/1
#14: Samantha Stosur
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Stosur has seen limited success in grand slams, mainly at the French Open. However, the US Open has been a house of horrors for the Australian.
She's 2-6 at the event and has been bounced in the first round all but two times in her career. Why should we expect that to change? We shouldn't, so I wouldn't imagine that Stosur is packing heavy for this trip to New York.
Odds: 25/1
#13: Flavia Pennetta
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Pennetta has seen the best success of her career in grand slams come at the US Open.
The Italian reached the quarterfinals in 2008 and 2009 after struggling at the event before then. It's hard to ignore that type of history but I'm going out on a limb and saying that Pennetta has figured out the hard court.
Look for Pennetta to continue her success at the event and make a run deep into the tournament.
Odds: 40/1
#12: Na Li
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The first Chinese player to reach the quarterfinals of a grand slam, Li enters the Open ranked ninth in the world.
Li has reached the semis of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon this year and is on bit of a roll.
Li's been to the quarters or beyond in a grand slam four times and could easily get there again if she's on her game.
Odds: 50/1
#11: Victoria Azarenka
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Azarenka is not really a strong peformer at grand slams. She has only reached the quarterfinals three times in her career -- none of which were at the US Open.
Azarenka is a good player, but she's not good enough to win the US Open, at least not right now. I'd look for her to take another early exit, something she's familiar with.
Odds: 7/1
#10: Vera Zvonareva
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While Zvonareva has never reached the quarters of the US Open, I think we're going to see a nice run from her this year.
Zvonareva is coming off of her first appearance in a grand slam final and I think the momentum is going to carry over into this tournament. The biggest force in sports is momentum and I fully expect her to use it to her advantage.
Odds: 20/1
#9: Ana Ivanovic
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Our first major champion on the list, Ivanovic has had a lot of success in grand slams -- except at the US Open.
Ivanovic has double digit career victories at the other three slams but is 7-6 lifetime at the US Open. I don't expect much to change and don't believe Ivanovic can succeed on the hard court.
Despite her lack of success, her success has to be respected and if it all clicks will be very dangerous.
Odds: 25/1
#8: Dinara Safina
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The former top-ranked player in the world is one that could create some noise at this year's US Open.
Safina has been to three grand slam finals in her career and has advanced to the quarterfinals or deeper seven times. However, Safina has struggled in slams this year but has done well historically at the open.
Safina is 18-8 at the event and has reached the quarters and the semis in her career. I expect Safina to make a run deep into the tournament but fall short.
Odds: 50/1
#7: Jelena Jankovic
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Jankovic has proven in the past that she can succeed at the US Open and I believe will do so again this year.
The Serbian reached the 2008 final, losing to Serena Williams in straight sets. Jankovic has also reached the semis and the quarters in past tournaments and has a proven track record of success at the open.
Even though she was bounced early last year, Jankovic has a 21-8 record at the event -- the best record of the four slams, and will go deep into the tournament.
Odds: 25/1
#6: Elena Dementieva
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Dementieva has gotten close time and time again at the US Open and I think this year will be no exception this year.
The Russian has reached the quarters or deeper five times including an appearance in the finals in 2004. Dementieva has seen success this year at grand slams as well.
At the French Open, Dementieva reached the semi-finals and I expect Dementieva to bring another strong performance to the table.
Odds: 20/1
#5: Svetlana Kuznetsova
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Don't be shocked to see Kuznetsova deep into the tournament this year. The former Open champion is 25-7 lifetime at the event, making it her second best slam performance behind the French Open.
Kuznetsova has been ranked as high as third in the world and I expect her to show why at the open.
Odds: 14/1
#4: Venus Williams
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The only American on the list, Venus Williams is a two-time champion at the US Open and has a 54-9 record lifetime at the event.
However, Venus' greatest success has come at the French Open, where she is a five-time champion. Venus is a great player and could certainly make noise at this tournament and win it, but she hasn't won there since 2001 and hasn't made the finals since 2002.
I like Venus, but I don't like her to win the tournament.
Odds: 12/1
#3: Caroline Wozniacki
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One of the young stars on the women's side, Wozniacki is coming off of an appearance in the finals at last year's Open.
Wozniacki also made the quarters at this year's French Open and has the ability to make it deep into the tournament. I have her above Venus because of the youth factor and I think she will be a fun player to watch and has a great shot to win the tournament if it comes together for her.
Odds: 7/1
#2: Maria Sharapova
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Sharapova hasn't really experienced the same amount of success that she had earlier in her career. She is a three-time grand slam champion and a former US Open champion.
However, that victory was in 2006 and since then, she hasn't advanced past the third round of the tournament. I like Sharapova as a player but believe the fame has hurt her game in recent years. Sharapova could get it done this year, but I wouldn't count on it.
Odds: 7/2
#1: Kim Clijsters
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A two-time US Open champion and the defending champion, Clijsters is the prohibitive favorite in my eyes.
While Clijsters really hasn't had the success at other majors that she has at the Open, she is 30-5 lifetime at the event and clearly feels at home on the hard courts at Flushing.
This isn't really a deep field this year and I think if Clijsters plays to her ability, there's no one that can touch her in field. Look for Clijsters to win back-to-back championships.
Odds: 10/3
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