US Open Tennis 2011: 5 Women Who Could Shake Up the Draw

With the US Open just six days away and women's tennis still in an unpredictable manner, this year could see a player outside the top 10 win a Grand Slam.

After Maria Sharapova's win in Cincinnati and Vera Zvonareva's good form, there are still obvious favourites within the top 10.

There are, however, strong candidates outside, as well.

Serena Williams is an obvious one, but it is always good to have a look at the least obvious.

This list includes players who will be seeded for the main draw and who have a good chance of shaking things up.

5. Sabine Lisicki

Despite losing to Shahar Peer in the first round of Cincinnati, Lisicki has had a decent couple of tournaments.

A semifinal appearance in Stanford was quickly backed up by a quarterfinal in Carlsbad.

Lisicki, who won the hearts of many after her run to a Wimbledon semifinal, should be strong at the US Open.

The world No.23 will be a tough opponent for any top-10 player.

4. Ana Ivanovic

Ivanovic is possibly the most debatable member of this list, but when she's on her game, she can match anyone in the top 10.

Whether her A-game will be present at Flushing Meadows, we will have to wait and see, but the Serb has renewed confidence.

In Nigel Sears the world No.17 has a new coach, and the return of her fitness trainer, Scott Byrnes, could see a rejuvenated Ivanovic at the US Open.

Things didn't start too well as a rusty performance saw the Serb fall to Ayumi Morita in the first round at Stanford, but a week later she reached the semifinals at Carlsbad, eventually losing out to Vera Zvonareva in three sets.

That has been followed by third- and second-round exits in Toronto and Cincinnati.

A couple of questions remain:

Is it too early to suggest a deep run into a Grand Slam, having only installed Sears as coach in July? Will she be able to bring her A-game to the US Open despite showing only flashes of her potential over the past month?

3. Shuai Peng

The world No.14 has had a decent period of preparation for the US Open.

Peng lost in the quarterfinals of Carlsbad to Ana Ivanovic and the second round of Toronto to Li Na, but she also reached the quarters of Toronto, where she lost to Jelena Jankovic.

This year has been her best yet in terms of Grand Slams. Peng has been past the third round in all three thus far and should do so again at the US Open.

Peng is a dangerous player for anyone in the top 10 to face, but is she strong enough to realistically challenge?

2. Jelena Jankovic

Before Cincinnati Jankovic probably wouldn't have made this list, but her appearance in the final may just see her as an outsider to win the US Open.

The world No.12 lost in the first round at Toronto, but her run to the final in Cincinnati, where she beat Francesca Schivaone, Shuai Peng, and Andrea Petkovic, is promising.

Jankovic reached the final in 2008, and although she has a poor Grand Slam record this year, she could do well.

1. Roberta Vinci

Vinci may have fallen apart a little since her quarterfinal appearance in Toronto, but if she plays anywhere near that standard, she should have a good US Open.

Her most notable win in Toronto was against Caroline Wozniacki, but her record at the US Open is not good: Her best performance was in 2008, when she reached the second round.

If she can find her form from Toronto, she could spring a couple of surprises.