August 28-September 10, 2006
Grand Slam
Flushing Meadows, New York
2005 Results: (4) Kim Clijsters d. (12) Mary Pierce 6-3, 6-1
The final Grand Slam of the 2006 season is just days away, and the top stars on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will be playing in New York City’s US Open. Amelie Mauresmo will head into the event as the top seed, followed by Justine Henin-Hardenne, Maria Sharapova, and Elena Dementieva. Venus Williams withdrew from the tournament only hours ago, but seasoned pros and former champions Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and Serena Williams will be trying to reclaim past glory at this year’s event. Notably absent from the main draw is defending champion Kim Clijsters, who pulled out with a wrist injury.
As a Grand Slam event, the main draw contains a field of 128 singles players and 64 doubles teams.
Top Fifteen Seeds
1. Amelie Mauresmo
2. Justine Henin-Hardenne
3. Maria Sharapova
4. Elena Dementieva
5. Nadia Petrova
6. Svetlana Kuznetsova
7. Patty Schnyder
8. Martina Hingis
9. Nicole Vaidisova
10. Lindsay Davenport
11. Anastasia Myskina
12. Dinara Safina
13. Mary Pierce
14. Francesca Schiavone
15. Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Draw Analysis
Top Quarter
Amelie Mauresmo is headlining the top of the draw as the number one seed, but her road to the final will not be easy. She plays her first round match against qualifier Kristina Barrois, and could face either Serena Williams or Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round, and possibly her not-so-friendly rival Martina Hingis in the quarterfinal. Other players to watch in the top quarter include Flavia Pennetta and Dinara Safina.
Second Quarter
Maria Sharapova drew one of the best draws of any of the top seeds and the teenager should have an easy road to the semifinals. Veteran Mary Pierce is slated to meet Sharapova in the round of sixteen, but health and fitness has been a huge problem for the French champion this season. American hopefuls Shenay Perry and Jamea Jackson are also in this quarter and could be dangerous floaters in the path of not only Sharapova and Pierce, but also Anastasia Myskina and Nadia Petrova.
Third Quarter
Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova are the highest seeds in this quarter, but Nicole Vaidisova, Anna-Lena Groenefeld, and Vera Zvonareva could be tricky opponents. Dementieva’s serve has worked for her in the past on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows and she should be able to reach the quarterfinals, along with Kuznetsova.
Bottom Quarter
Justine Henin-Hardenne is my favorite to win the title on September 9th, and although her draw is not as easy as the one that Maria Sharapova was given, I still like her chances of reaching the final. Talented youngsters Romina Oprandi and Shahar Peer may be able to score a couple of big wins, but keep your eyes open for a Lindsay Davenport/Justine Henin-Hardenne showdown in the quarterfinals.
Former Champions in the Main Draw
Martina Hingis – 1997
Lindsay Davenport – 1998
Serena Williams – 1999, 2002
Justine Henin-Hardenne – 2003
Svetlana Kuznetsova – 2004
