The Favorites for the US Open Ladies Tennis Title

Amelie Mauresmo
Mauresmo spent thirteen years on the tour before she won her first singles Grand Slam title, but this season has been a breakthrough for the French veteran. She has held onto the number one ranking since the beginning of 2006, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and will head into the US Open full of confidence. The only thing that could hurt Mauresmo’s chances is that she skipped almost the entire hardcourt season, appearing for the first time this summer at New Haven this week. Mauresmo should have have a couple of easy wins in the early rounds, but she could face Serena Williams in the fourth round, Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals, and Maria Sharapova in the semifinals.
My Pick: Reaches final

Justine Henin-Hardenne
Apart from Mauresmo, Justine Henin-Hardenne has been the strongest player on tour this season. She reached the finals at all three of the Grand Slams this season, and won Roland Garros. I think the seedings will hold at the US Open, and we will get to see another rematch between Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne in the final. Mauresmo defeated Henin-Hardenne in the final at Melbourne and Wimbledon, but I am looking for Henin-Hardenne to score the upset over Mauresmo on hard courts, and win her sixth major title.
My Pick: Wins Championship Title

Maria Sharapova
Maria won the title at the Acura Classic and actually has a draw made to order at the US Open. She should not have any tough competition until she reaches the semifinal, but I think that Maria will once again see her hopes for a second grand slam title dashed. Her power strokes are suited for hard courts, but she still needs to develop a more complete game. She may be able to outslug them, but I do not see Maria being able to get past Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne’s finesse and movement for the title.
My Pick: Another tough semifinal loss

Elena Dementieva
Dementieva has had a lot of success on the courts of Flushing Meadows, but the draw this year was not kind to the Russian No. 2. A third round clash with Venus Williams is not what Dementieva would have chosen for herself, but I think she will get past a rusty Venus in three sets. However, I am looking for Kuznetsova to take her out in the quarters in a repeat of the Pilot Pen quarterfinal.
My Pick: Quarterfinal

Nadia Petrova
Nadia Petrova will head into the US Open not with thoughts of taking the title, but just hoping to win a match. Petrova’s latest results have disastrous, with five straight first round losses since May. She opens against a qualifier, and even if she wins her first match, Amy Frazier or Virginia Ruano Pascual may still be able to send her packing in the second round.
My Pick: Wins opening match, but still loses in the second round

Svetlana Kuznetsova
As one of the six former champions in the ladies draw, Svetlana Kuznetsova will be a player to watch. Last season she was dumped out in her first match, but I really like her chances of reaching the semifinal. Nicole Vaidisova may be a tricky opponent in the quarters, but Kuznetsova should be able to get past her, as experience and movement will rule over enthusiasm and power.
My Pick: Reaches semifinal, but loses out to Henin-Hardenne in three sets

Patty Schnyder
Grand Slams have never revealed Schnyder’s best tennis, and I do not expect the US Open to prove any different. She should be able to reach the round of sixteen, but Lindsay Davenport will prove too much to handle for the Swiss.
My Pick: Round of Sixteen

Martina Hingis
The Swiss Miss won this title almost a decade ago in 1997, but since returning to action in January, Hingis has been playing some of her best tennis in years. With Venus and Serena rusty, and Kim Clijsters out with a wrist injury, I like Hingis’ chances of reaching the second week of the US Open. She is slated to meet Ana Ivanovic in the round of sixteen in a rematch of the Rogers Cup final, but I think Hingis will be able to get past the teenager this time, before losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.
My Pick: Another disappointing quarterfinal loss

Nicole Vaidisova
Vaidisova is playing in only her third US Open and is already ranked in the top ten. Her results this season have been no less than impressive, and although her game is suited for hard courts, she has a tough draw with Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Jankovic, and Jie Zheng in her quarter.
My Pick: Third round loss to Jankovic

Lindsay Davenport
You never know if this is going to be Lindsay Davenport’s final US Open, and although my heart wants to see her go home with the title, my mind unfortunately tells me otherwise. I think she will reach the quarterfinals to play Justine Henin-Hardenne, but will lose in a tough, three set loss.
My Pick: Emotional Quarterfinal Loss to Henin-Hardenne

Mary Pierce
Unlike the other matriarch on the tour Lindsay Davenport, Mary Pierce has no intentions of retiring soon. She is getting married later this year and a third Grand Slam title would be a dream wedding present. However, major titles are born in dreams and worked for in reality, and Pierce has a tough draw. Unless Maria Sharapova is having a horrible day, there is no way Mary Pierce is getting past the round of sixteen.
My Pick: Round of Sixteen

Venus Williams
Venus enters the US Open not only rusty, but with almost no match-play this season and an injured wrist. I think she will survive her first couple of rounds, before losing to Dementieva in three sets in the third round.
My Pick: Third Round

Serena Williams
Serena Williams is unseeded at this year’s tournament, but she has had a few successful matches this summer. I think she will get the upset over Daniela Hantuchova in the second round, before Ana Ivanovic grabs another big victory over a top player.
My Pick: Third round loss to Ana Ivanovic

Who are your picks for the title?

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