U.S. Open Predictions for Women: An All Out American - Russian Battle?

Who will win the long-awaited U.S. Open this year?

Years before it happened, Serena Williams was touted by a family member as the one having the most potential in her family... But so was Safina. A lot of people know that Richard Williams was bragging on Serena way before it was evident that she could hang in there with Venus. Not as well known is the fact that brother Marat Safin was singing Dinara Safina's praises before we were aware of her dominating presence. With that said, my number one and number two picks for the U.S. Open are Serena Williams and Dinara Safina.

Major contenders for the U.S. Open

Serena. Having won three of the last four majors, Serena Williams will be a force to be reckoned with at the U.S. Open this year. According to the WTA Expanded Rankings on Tennis.com, Dinara Safina occupies the number one spot, but you never, never count Serena out, especially at the U.S. Open. Her intangibles outweigh any difference in the rankings between her and Safina. Playing harder and more aggressive when she's down, she almost dares anyone to take a lead because of the backlash that follows.

Safina. According to Tom Perrota of Tennis Magazine, there's something intangible about the Safin family at the U.S. Open. Having reached the semifinals last year at the U.S. Open, and winner of the U.S. Open series last year, Safina goes into the Open this year with a number one ranking. She has not won a major title, but is getting more and more experience under her belt and this may be the year for her. Will she have the confidence to close it out?

Venus. Venus Williams has won Wimbledon five times and the U.S. Open twice. She has always performed better on grass, but with those accolades and that amazing first serve, she cannot be counted out on Flushing Meadows' hard courts. A gracious loser to Serena at Wimbledon this year, it may depend on what Serena does at the Open. If Serena loses early, it would not be surprising to see Venus soar.

Dementieva. Russian Elena Dementieva comes in at fourth in the WTA rankings as of August 31, 2009. Slow and steady wins the race for Elena... at least sometimes. Not the flashiest or most exciting player out there, but she definitely has a chance if her serve holds up for her. Her athleticism makes up for her slower serve, but she will have to be playing her absolute best to win.

Kuznetsova. Svetlana Kuznetsova comes in at number six in the WTA rankings, but I choose her over fifth ranked Jelena Jankovic because of her mental game. At times Jankovic is all over the place with emotions and excuses and then at others she is confident and laughing. Kuznetsova seems to have a middle ground that doesn't vacillate as much as Jelena's, at least mentally. The 2004 U.S. Open winner, Kuznetsova beat Serena at the French Open this year to take the title. She definitely has a chance at the Open.

Other favorites at the U.S. Open

Sentimental favorites include Ana Ivanovic, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova who are also capable of taking a stand and making a come back at this year's U.S. Open.

According to Tennis magazine, Hawk-Eye is being added to its third stadium at the U.S. Open. With live coverage online and expanded Hawk-Eye coverage, the U.S. Open proves to be an exciting thriller with night time games and the excitement of New York whether it is in the end dominated by an American, a Russian... or a new contender.

Sources:

Tom Perrota, "Dinara Safina reached the semifinals at the U.S. Open last year and her bother won his first major there. Is there something about New York that moves the Safin soul?", Tennis Magazine, U.S. Open Preview, pg. 34

Bill Gray, "Hawk-Eye Hits the Grandstand", Tennis Magazine, U.S. Open Preview, pg.52

http://tennis.com/rankings/ranking_women.aspx?id=40692

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