If this year’s US Open is anything like 2015, then expect the unexpected to occur. None of the five highest ranked players in the women’s draw progressed to the final as Flavia Pennetta defeated Roberta Vinci in an historic all-Italian final. The year the best players in the world are hoping to avoid a familiar fate as they finalize their preparations ahead of the final grand slam of the season.
Serena Williams
US Open best performance – Champion 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Titles in 2016: Rome (Clay) and Wimbledon (grass).
Flushing Meadows has brought both jubilation and heartbreak for six-time champion Serena Williams. Last year she was only two wins away from becoming the first player since 1988 to win all four major titles within the same year. The dream failed to happen as she crashed out to Vinci in the semifinals.
Williams’ preparation for the event has been far from ideal for the 34-year-old. Hampered by inflammation in her right shoulder, the world No.1 has been forced to withdraw from a duo of premier tournaments. Since Wimbledon, she has only played in one tournament. At the Olympic Games, she reached the quarterfinals before crashing out to Elina Svitolina.
As far as her title chances go, Williams has masterfully avoided the topic and instead discussed her current injury situation.
“I have not played a lot, I haven’t practiced a lot, but I’m just now starting to feel a little better,” Williams said. “Hopefully just every day I will keep going higher.”
In her opening match, Williams faces a testing match against Ekaterina Makarova, a player who has previously beaten her in a grand slam.
The journey to New York has certainly been a bumpy ride for the 22-time grand slam champion, but if anybody can turn things around, it is Williams.
Angelique Kerber
US Open best performance: Semifinalist 2011
Titles in 2016: Australian Open (hard) and Stuttgart (clay)
Angelique Kerber will once have the opportunity of clinching the world No.1 position from Serena Williams. She came agonisingly close in Cincinnati, but lost in the final to Karolina Pliskova. Kerber has a 460-point advantage over Williams at the start of the tournament because she has less points to defend due to her third round exit in 2015.
The pressure will certainly be on the German to perform at the US Open. Nevertheless, Kerber is treating the tournament no different to the others.
“I will not put too much pressure on this,” the 28-year-old told reporters at Flushing Meadows.
“If the day will come I will reach number one, it would be amazing, but I will not think too much (about it).
“I will try to enjoy every moment right now because it’s one of the best seasons of my career so far.”
Kerber will start her campaign against Polona Hercog, a player who she has defeated in three out of their five previous meetings.
Garbine Muguruza
US Open best performance: Second round 2015
Titles in 2016: French Open (clay)
Incredibly third seed Garbine Muguruza has only ever won one match at Flushing Meadows. Last year she was knocked out in the second round by Johanna Konta. Since that disappointment, the Spaniard has shot to the limelight after winning her maiden grand slam title at the French Open.
Like Kerber, Muguruza also has a chance of clinching the No.1 position depending on the performances of her rivals. It would be a dream come true for Muguruza, however, she has admitted that it is not currently on her mind.
“It would be an incredible achievement, but I do not know what I have to do here to get it. I really do not think about it.” Muguruza said about the No.1 position.
This time round, the 22-year-old is feeling more positive about her chances in New York. This season Muguruza has won 28 out of her 41 matches on the tour. In her most recent tournament, the Cincinnati Open, she reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Pliskova.
“I’m playing well. I think I have improved my physical condition, that every time I’m stronger and I’ve got more experience.” She said.
Muguruza will play Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens in the first round.
Agnieszka Radwanska
US Open best performance: Fourth round (2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013)
Titles in 2016: Shenzhen (Hard), New Haven (Hard)
One of the players to have the best preparation for the US Open is Agnieszka Ranska. Last week the world No.4 strolled to the New Haven title without dropping a set. The triumph also resulted in the Pole winning the US Open series.
“I mean it’s been a couple of good weeks,” she said. “I didn’t really know that I had a chance to win that. I was really surprised myself when I find out (Friday) I can be No. 1 in that list, as well. So now it’s everything in my power to do good in the US Open. It will be worth it, right?”
Flushing Meadows is statistically Radwanska’s worst Grand slam with a current winning rate of 66%. This year will mark her 11th consecutive appearance at the tournament, but she is yet to reach the quarter-final stage.
Radwanska will play American qualifier Jessica Pegula in her first match.
Simona Halep
US Open best result: semifinalist 2015
Titles in 2016: Madrid (Clay); Bucharest (Clay) and the Canadian Open (Hard)
Despite being seeded fifth in the tournament, Simona Halep will be one of the biggest dangers in the women’s draw after her recent success on the tour. Since Wimbledon, the Romanian enjoyed a 13-match winning streak before her run came to an end in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open.
“I feel strong,” she recently said during the Western & Southern Open. “I feel safe in my body. I think that this is the point where I can stay strong mentally. I feel my game. I feel that I’ve already reached a good level of my tennis.”
Halep has only reached one major final in her career at the 2014 French Open. Her chances of reaching a second has been elevated following recent wins over rivals Radwanska and Kerber.
Awaiting Halep in the first round at New York will be Kirsten Flipkens, a player who has produced a series of high profiles wins this season. She has defeated the Belgian in all four of their previous meetings on the tour.
