There’s been a lot of talk about the wide-open women’s draw at the U.S. Open this year, and whoever takes home the trophy will either solidify their spot at the top or prove that it’s still anygal’s game on the WTA tour. Fun stuff! Let’s try to find some order in the chaos, shall we?
The breakdown after the jump..
IVANOVIC’S/SAFINA’S QUARTER:
Yes, Ana Ivanovic is No. 1 again and has the top seeding in NYC. But with her thumb injury and lack of match play, her draw is looking tough. She has a Russian-I’ve-Heard-of with Vera Dushevina in the 1st round, possibly Casey Dellacqua in the 2nd, Kaia Kanepi or a resurgent Mauresmo in the 3rd, and likely the winner of Penetta vs. Petrova in the 16s. She can’t ease her way into the tournament, that’s for sure.
Look out for a great all-French 1st rounder in her section: Nathalie Dechy vs. Amelie Mauresmo. If Nathalie surprises by getting through to the 3rd round, she’ll be looking to avenge her unlucky Wimbledon loss to Ana.
Dinara Safina’s at the bottom of this quarter, and assuming her serve doesn’t go haywire, she could sail into the second week. She’ll likely play the winner of Hantuchova vs. Mattek in the 16s.
Likely Quarterfinals: Ivanovic vs. Safina
THE WILLIAMS QUARTER:
This is the big story of the women’s draw so far, and I don’t think it helps the Williams sisters, mentally, to see themselves in the same quarter.
Serena’s trickiest matches could be the unseeded Bondarenko sister (Kateryna) in her 1st round, and the winner of Vaidisova vs. Savay in the 16s.
Venus will need to be ready for a tough 1st round against Sam Stosur, a matchup with the other Bondarenko sister (Alona) in the 3rd and Aggie Radwanska in the 16s.
Likely Quarterfinals: SISTERS
THE RUSSIAN QUARTER:
Almost any quarter could be the Russian quarter, but here we have three of the very best: Beijing Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva, Pilot Pen finalist Anna Chakvetadze and last year’s U.S. Open finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova. Oh, and 22-seeded Maria Kirilenko is in the mix, too, but faces a tough 1st rounder against Tamira Paszek.
Demientieva’s at the top of the section, possibly facing Francesca Schiavone in the 3rd round and the winner of Chakvedatze vs. Li Na in the 16s. I say Li Na here, but it could easily be Shahar Peer, who faces the Chinese hope in a fantastic 1st round.
Kuznetsova could have a not-so-upcoming Lucie Safarova in the 2nd round and the winner of Schnyder vs. Kirilenko (or Paszek) in the 16s. I don’t see much to upset the Kooze, but her form has been lacking in recent months.
Likely Quarterfinals: Dementieva vs. Kuznetsova
JANKOVIC’S QUARTER:
Jelena is the No. 2 seed, and like Ana, in a tricky part of the draw with all sorts of talented players like Zvonareva, Bammer, Davenport, Suarez Navarro, Bartoli, Azarenka, new Pilot Pen champ Caroline Wozniacki, Canadian hope Aleksandra Wozniak and Zheng Jie. Phew!
Jelena may face Zheng in the 3rd round and the winner of Azarenka vs. Wozniacki in the 16s.
Zvonareva heads the top of this section, facing Bammer in the 3rd round and possibly Davenport (who has a tough 1st rounder against Wozniak) or Bartoli in the 16s.
Likely Quarterfinals: Zvonareva vs. Jankovic (or Bartoli vs. Azarenka or Wozniak vs. Wozniacki. . .)
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