The prestigious Tier One tournament in San Diego will be the first stop for most of the top women on their US campaigns. Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic have withdrawn with injuries. Nevertheless a strong field still remains, featuring world No.2 Maria Sharapova, No.3 Jelena Jankovic and this year's Wimbledon champion, Venus Williams.

Vintage Venus to chase fourth straight crown:  Allthough Venus Williams may check in as the 11th seed, she is one of the best or the best in-form player next week. Fresh off her fourth Wimbledon crown, Venus won both her Fed Cup singles matches against top ten Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Nadia Petrova. The older Williams sister will have the crowd and three straight San Diego crowns to back her up. This is her first visit since her three straight wins in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Venus stated: "In some ways, i feel like I'm returning as defending champion". A devastating backhand, formidable forehand and breathtaking serve will pitch Venus as a top title contender and one to fear.

Maria prepares title defence: Maria Sharapova has not had the best of her tennis years, but the hard-hitting Russian and world No.2 will hope that the hard courts of San Diego will bring her success as it did last year. A fourth round thrashing from eventual champion Venus Williams at Wimbledon, didn't help Maria, but she has to show all her critics that she is still a real title contender and can beat the top players.

'Checking in as the No 3 seed Anna is one to look out for as she could take out big names as well as take the title'


With top players like Serena Williams not playing, Maria's route to her second title could be easier than we thought. But if she has another early encounter with Venus, who would be seeded low, the Russian could be blown away once again. She would want an easy route in the early stages for her possible comeback. Seeded No 1 this year, Maria is one story that could go either way.

Jankovic set to stun on first stop:  Jelena Jankovic has displayed superb form this year and aims to claim her sixth title. We have learned to realise that Jelena is always going to give 100 percent. The world No.3 and second seed has already produced wins over the title contenders this year, including Sharapova and Venus. Jelena will go for the title this year on her fourth and final attempt, having lost to Kim Clijsters twice and Serena.

Anna Chakvetadze sets her sights on San Diego on third stop: Having won Cincinnati last week and trailing well in Stanford this week, Anna is still on the look-out for more US success, enjoying her best career ranking of seven. The only way seems up for the talented Russian. She has already shown us that she can take big names out and take a Tier One title as she did last year in Moscow. Checking in as the No.3 seed, Anna is one to look out for as she could take out big names as well as take the title.

Hoping for US success: Multiple Grand Slam winner and the '97 and '99 champion, Martina Hingis is seeded No 7 this year. Preparing for her Los Angeles defence next week, is Russian Elena Dementieva who is seeded at nine this year. Last year she came in with no form from an injury, but this year Nadia Petrova comes in great form and as the No.4 seed. Although she lost early in Stanford, surprise Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli checks in as the No.5 seed.

Round-up of seeds: Assuming three are no more withdrawals, and that next week's new rankings are not too different, here are the seeds heading for San Diego: 1. Maria Sharapova; 2. Jelena Jancovic; 3. Anna Chakvetadze; 4. Nadia Petrova;  5. Marion Bartoli; 6. Daniela Hantuchova; 7.  Martina Hingis; 8. Dinara Safina; 9. Elena Dimentieva; 10. Patty Schnyder; 11. Venus Williams; 12. Shahar Peer; 13. Tatiana Golovin;l 14. Na Li; 15. Vera Zvonereva; 16. Alona Bondarenko.