The contenders: how will top eight women’s seeds fare?
Published 29/08/2015 at 19:30 GMT+1
The attention is fixed on Serena Williams ahead of the US Open.
Serena Williams, Wimbledon 2015
Image credit: AFP
The American is chasing a rare clean-sweep of Grand Slams in 2015, a feat previously only achieved by three women.
But can anyone halt her bid at Flushing Meadows?
We assess the top eight seeds' chances ahead of this year's tournament...
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No.1: Serena Williams (United States)
It’s one of the most oft-used clichés in tennis: the only person who can beat Serena… is herself. That saying is as relevant now as when it was first coined, with the American on the cusp of a calendar Grand Slam. Only Steffi Graf (1988), Margaret Court (1970) and Maureen Connolly (1953) have conquered it previously. Williams has a capacity to haul herself to victory, even when she’s self-destructing. Why? Her physical attributes help, but it’s her aura that’s arguably her biggest weapon. No one expects to beat her. And come two weeks’ time, that probably won’t have changed…
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Serena Williams of the U.S.A waits for the trophy presentation after winning her Women's Final match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 11, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Image credit: Reuters
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No.2: Simona Halep (Romania)
…unless Halep plays the tournament of her life. The Romanian is the chief threat to Serena’s quest for calendar domination after rising to world number two. A quick scour of her results on grass and clay suggest there’s no chance of her toppling the American; scan across to the hardcourts and there’s a glimmer of hope. Halep has already revealed her strategy, should the pair meet in the final at Flushing Meadows: be aggressive. She was unfortunate to lose a close-fought contest against Williams in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, suggesting this year’s tournament might not be the procession many expect.
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Simona Halep (Reuters)
Image credit: TNT Sports
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No.3: Maria Sharapova
Thinking of having a flutter on Sharapova? Don’t. Since her Flushing Meadows triumph in 2006, Sharapova has only progressed beyond the fourth round on one occasion. The Russian has missed the warm-up events with a leg injury, so it’s hard to envisage anything other than an early exit. Her first round opponent? Compatriot Daria Gavrilova, who beat Sharapova in Miami earlier this year.
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Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after winning her match against Johanna Konta of Britain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, June 29, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
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No.4: Caroline Wozniacki
The chatter surrounding Wozniacki continues to focus on her break-up with Rory McIlroy, rather than her actual tennis. The Dane came desperately close to securing a maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows in 2014, succumbing to Williams (who else?!) in the final. She’s again avoided the world number one in her half of the draw, with Halep potentially lying in wait in the last four. Her best hopes (everyone’s best hopes) is someone else eliminating Serena.
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Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark poses with the trophy after defeating Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru during their women's singles final match of the 2015 BMW Malaysia Open tennis tournament in Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2015.
Image credit: AFP
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No.5: Petra Kvitova
Kvitova has impressed in the warm-up events, suggesting a change in fortunes at the US Open – she has never been beyond the fourth round. However, she may have to oust Wozniacki (quarters), Halep (semi) and Williams (final) to win the tournament, although the women’s top seeds lack the consistency seen in the men’s draw. Kvitova will be buoyed by the fact she’s one of just two women to beat the American in 2015, even if it was on clay.
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Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic celebrates after winning her match against Kurumi Nara of Japan at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
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No.6: Lucie Safarova
A similar tale to compatriot Kvitova. Safarova has also failed to progress beyond the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, while she threatened an upset against Williams at Roland Garros in her maiden Grand Slam final, forcing a deciding set before being overpowered. She’s flown up the rankings in 2015, meaning a potential quarter-final showdown with Halep should hold little fear.
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Lucie Safarova celebrates beating Caroline Garcia in the Fed Cup
Image credit: Reuters
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No.7: Ana Ivanovic
Technically sound; mentally susceptible. Ivanovic enters the US Open in fine form, and yet you can’t predict her having a successful tournament with any confidence. The Serb's sole Grand Slam triumph dates back six years, and she hasn’t threatened a repeat, save at this year’s French Open when she blitzed into the semi-finals before bowing out. Sharapova and Williams await in her half of the draw. Conclusion? It probably won't be her year...
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Ana Ivanovic of Serbia celebrates after beating Ekaterina Makarova of Russia during their women's singles
Image credit: Reuters
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No.8: Karolina Pliskova
Pliskova has snuck in amongst the top seeds after winning the US Open series. But her results were hardly impressive, benefiting from withdrawals and odd rules, suggesting her seeding is a shade false. Yet to progress into the second week of a Grand Slam, it would be hugely surprising if Pliskova reached the latter stages.
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Karolina Pliskova Miami Open
Image credit: AFP
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