The 11th staging of Pilot Pen tournament in New Haven isn't flowing with talent - but seven of the top 20 women are competing. Lindsay Davenport will make her return to the doubles circuit and Svetlana Kuznetsova will bid for her first title of the year. But what does the competition look like?

Four finals but no titles in 2007, Kuznetsova craves a victory: A solid year all round has firmly based Svetlana in the top five. Her aggressive and dominating play saw her to U.S. Open gold in 2004, but a long break after Wimbledon has seen her fall in the Toronto quarter-final with some sloppy play.

Eager to raise her game to a higher standard, Kuznetsova will top the New Haven bill as the No.1 seed. She made her debut last year, claiming impressive wins over elegant Frenchwomen Tatiana Golovin and fellow Russian Elena Dementieva, before falling to eventual champion Justine Henin. The draw projects Svetlana to face tough Swiss Patty Schnyder, who recently reached the final of San Diego, in the last eight, followed by a possible semi-final line up against surprise Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli or hard-hitting Russian  Dementieva.

'Although Kuznetsova has a first-round bye, she could bump into trouble sooner then we think, as a possible second-round match with Grand Slam winner Ai Sugiyama or Poland's up-and-coming Agnieszka Radwanska could derail her'


Although Kuznetsova has a first-round bye, she could bump into trouble sooner then we think, as a possible second-round match with Grand Slam winner Ai Sugiyama or Poland's up-and-coming Agnieszka Radwanska could derail her. The 22-year-old top seed will not only want to capture her first title of the year but will want to find that very form that has brought her eight titles, including her maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadow.

Hantuchova could sail through: Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova captured her second career title this year at Indian Wells, including a win over Kuznetsova in the final. Daniela has been loyal to Pilot Pen, showing up every year since 2001. Her best run was in 2002, when she reached the semi-final, only to lose to eventual champion Venus Williams. Hantuchova only reached the second round last year, where she lost to  Dementieva. The draw for Daniela looks very comfortable, promising a possible quarter-final with No.8 seed Alona Bondarenko and last-four date with Dinara Safina or Sybille Bammer. But a closer inspection reveals that hard-hitting Indian Sania Mirza is giving top players a run for their money - and could spoil things for Hantuchova in the quarter-final. After a first-round bye, Daniela will face either Australia's Samantha Stosur or a qualifier. The world No.10 will check in as the No.2 seed this year.

Marion Bartoli warming up: Ever since her dream run at Wimbledon, which took her to the final and No.11 in the world, it has all been a bit dull for the French girl. But reaching the Toronto quarter-final should give her confidence in her final warm-up. Bartoli could be in line for a tough quarter-final against Dementieva, but the Russian has problems of her own. Can Marion take advantage? Bartoli will face either Russia's Olga Poutchkova or a qualifier in the second round. She checks in as the No.3 seed, but it looks like she will have to cook up one of her famous surprises if she aims to venture deep this year. 

Davenport returns: After giving birth to son Jagger, most people thought that Lindsay Davenport's illustrious career had come to an end. Lindsay herself thought that she would most likely retire, but the 31-year-old still has determination and drive. She will return to the singles circuit soon after the U.S. Open but will make her return in doubles this week. Partnering Lisa Raymond, Davenport is sure to reel a win or two. The former world No.1 and three-times Grand Slam winner is eager to make a strong return on home soil. But does she still have what it takes to hit with the best?

Round-up: Kuznetsova leads the way to New Haven as No.1 seed, while Hantuchova will hope to improve on last year's second-round loss. Bartoli and Safina, still needing to make a big impression this North American summer, are seeded No. 3 and No. 4, and Schnyder ranks at No. 5. Dementieva still needs to find her feet as No. 6 seed, while Austrian mother Bammer and Ukrainian Bondarenko come in at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively.