A few days to go and the U.S. Open 2007 will get under way. Played between August 27 and September 9 at Flushing Meadow, both the men’s and women’s U.S. Open singles champions will earn $1.4 million with the ability to earn an additional $1million in bonus prize money (for a total $2.4 million potential payout) based on their performances in the U.S . Open Series.

Leading the entry list in the women’s field is world No. 1 Justine Henin of Belgium, the 2003 U.S. Open champion and last year’s runner up. Following Henin in the list is Maria Sharapova, the defending champion; No. 3 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia; No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, the 2004 U.S. Open champion; No. 5 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the reigning U.S. Open Series champion; No. 6 Amelie Mauresmo of France, who won the 2006 Australian Open; No. 7 Serena Williams, who won her eighth Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open this year.

The playing field in the women’s entry is well attended. 99 of the top-100 women, representing 34 different countries, received direct entry into the 2007 US Open. No. 68 Lindsay Davenport, the 1998 US Open champion, did not enter. She gave birth to her first child in June.

"Can we expect an all American finals represented by the hard-hitting Williamses? Or will it be a Russian affair? Will the Serbs finally hit it big in the US scene? Or will an underdog lift the US Trophy this year?"


Unlike the men’s, we all know that the women’s field, although filled with talented and accomplished players, is pretty much open. No player has dominated the major slams compared to the era of Stefi Graf and Monica Seles in early 80’s or Martina Hingis in late 90’s. In fact, the current women’s battlefield is a basket-full of early upsets of the top seeds, surprise players reaching the semis or even finals and a half dozen injured players. This is what the women’s tennis has to offer to the public – a very unpredictable affair, which has its pros and cons which can be debated at length.

Justine Henin (Belgium)Current Ranking - No 1 The Monaco-based player has won the title in 2003, a runner up last year. However, in all other years this century her appearance at the U.S. Open has been consistent, reaching the fourth round only (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005).
My forecast, she will reach semifinals and will be ousted by a Russian hard hitter. Or probably call for medic and eventually retire from the game when the scoreboard reflects 6-2, 5-1, in favor of the opponent. This is indeed classic Henin approach based on the record history.

Maria Sharapova (Russia)Current Ranking – 2 Even though the towering 6ft 2in, Florida-based player is the defending champion, she would need a lot of luck to defend her title. If you will note, her resume in the US Open is not that appealing; she reach second round in 2003, third round in 2004 and semi-final in 2005 before winning in 2006. Many tennis enthusiasts suggest that her winning the trophy in 2006 was only a fluke, and that her draw was perfectly open. Perhaps it is true. The 20-year old Russian would have to improve her mobility on court or else father Yuri will be courtside shouting, with his neck veins waiting to explode.
Sharapova will not be able to defend her title for sure. She will be sideswiped by a Serb and will only reach quarterfinals.

Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) Current Ranking - 4 Her sole Grand Slam was won here in the U.S. in 2004. She was twice a runner up in 2002 and 2003. Last year she only reach fourth round. With her 2-4 W/L record, can we expect a better performance from this 22-year old Russian? Maybe, just maybe. It is about time for her to change that habit of being the runner up queen in the tier events. Kuznetsova will be playing really good tennis for a week before her temper gets the better of her. She will reach quarter-finals.

Amelie Mauresmo (France) Current Ranking - 8 Last year was a good one for this calm player from France, winning two majors in Australia and Wimbledon. Then after that heyday year, there was none. The highest she reached in this years slam was fourth round in both Australia and Wimbledon. In Roland Garros, due to severe pressure from her countrymen to deliver, she reached only third round. 2007 will be another fourth round exit for this 28-yr old veteran.

Martina Hingis (Switzerland) Current Ranking - 17 This Slovak-born player was the winner in 1997 and twice a runner up in 1998 and 1999. Along with her dropping in the ranking (she reached a career high after her comeback to No. 6) is her questionable ability to perform of late, due to a hip injury, which is the same reason she missed almost half of the tournaments this season. Probably her recent break-up with Radek Stepanek will prove to be an advantage to her second tennis career. If our Swiss Miss is 100 percent fit come August 27, she will reach quarter-finals.

Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) Current Ranking - 17 This 22-year old Serb has reached her career ranking at No. 3. To date she has never won a major. The closest she ever reached was semi-finals on both Roland Garros (2007) and US Open (2006). Will this year be her breakthrough in Slams? My prediction is - she will be a semi-finalist this year. I guess she has to wait for a few more years to hone her craft and get that champions desire.

Serena Williams (USA) Current Ranking – 9 The hard-hitting American won the title twice already: 1999 and 2002. But her dedication to the sport that brought her so much fame is in questioned. The eighth-time Grand Slam champion seems to be attracted to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood which takes away a portion of her focus on her game. If we will have a fit and focused Serena, we expect her to be on the final and become an eventual runner up.

Venus Williams (USA)Current Ranking – 13 The sixth-time major winner missed last year's US Open due to injury. I am not ever certain if she has enlisted herself this year. If she does, I expect her to perform well. If she maintains her form that brought her the Wimbledon trophy this year, then she is bound to reach semifinals.

There you have it, my fearless forecast in this year’s US Open. You may notice, I did not reveal who my winner is. Indeed I stick to my claim that the women’s line up is open – wide open that is. Thus I expect to have another Marion Bartoli of France reaching the final just like in Wimbledon. Just like Amelie Mauresmo leaving Roland Garros on a third round. Anything is possible in the women’s field for as long as the Roger Federer female counterpart does not exist, yet.