It's Open season at Flushing Meadows

A look at the top women's players at the U.S. Open, which starts Monday in New York (seedings in parentheses):
 
ANA IVANOVIC (1)
Age: 20
Country: Serbia
2008 Match Record: 30-8
2008 Singles Titles: 2 (1)
Career Singles Titles: 7 (5)
Major Titles: 1 - French Open (2008)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-4th, '06-3rd, '05-2nd, '04-DNP, '03-DNP
Topspin: Withdrew from Olympic tournament before it began because of inflammation in her right hand; the problem flared up last month and left her unable to practice. ... Commanded her shots and nerves to beat Dinara Safina in Paris for first Grand Slam championship. Had lost to Maria Sharapova this year in the Australian Open final. ... Was upset by No. 133 Zheng Jie in third round at Wimbledon. ... Became No. 1 for the first time this season.
 
 

JELENA JANKOVIC (2)
Age: 23
Country: Serbia
2008 Match Record: 44-14
2008 Singles Titles: 1 (0)
Career Singles Titles: 6 (1)
Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: SF, U.S. Open (2006), French Open (2007-08), Australian Open (2008)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-QF, '06-SF, '05-3rd, '04-2nd, '03-DNP
Topspin: Reached No. 1 in the rankings this year for the first time. ... Has never made it to the final of a Grand Slam tournament. ... Expressive player, often chides herself for missed shots. Can play to the crowd.
 
 

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (3)
Age: 23
Country: Russia
2008 Match Record: 31-13
2008 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 9 (7)
Major Titles: 1 - U.S. Open (2004)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-Runner-Up, '06-4th, '05-1st, '04-W, '03-3rd
Topspin: Former U.S. Open champ was wiped out by Justine Henin in last year's final at Flushing Meadows. ... Reached the final in three tournaments this year, lost all three. ... Likes to sport New York-themed hats during the Open.
 
 

SERENA WILLIAMS (4)
Age: 26
Country: United States
2008 Match Record: 36-6
2008 Singles Titles: 3 (2)
Career Singles Titles: 31 (22)
Major Titles: 8 - U.S. Open (1999, 2002), Wimbledon (2002-03), French Open (2003), Australian Open (2003, 2005, 2007)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-QF, '06-4th, '05-4th, '04-QF, '03-DNP
Topspin: Oddsmakers picked her as favorite to women's title. ... What will she wear? Last year, she opted for a babydoll dress with a pink bow around the bust in the opening round. ... Teamed with sister Venus to win Olympic gold medal in doubles. ... The Williams sisters both lost to Henin last year at the U.S. Open.
 
 

ELENA DEMENTIEVA (5)
Age: 26
Country: Russia
2008 Match Record: 40-11
2008 Singles Titles: 2 (2)
Career Singles Titles: 10 (7)
Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: Runner-Up, U.S. Open (2004), French Open (2004)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-3rd, '06-QF, '05-SF, '04-RU, '03-4th
Topspin: Won Olympic singles title, ending Safina's 15-match winning streak for the gold medal. ... Her serve is always suspect. At times, she drops down and pops 'em over sidearm, like a kid just learning how to play.
 
 

DINARA SAFINA (6)
Age: 22
Country: Russia
2008 Match Record: 43-14
2008 Singles Titles: 3 (2)
Career Singles Titles: 8 (3)
Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: RU, French Open (2008)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-4th, '06-QF, '05-1st, '04-1st, '03-4th
Topspin: Paired with Nathalie Dechy for the women's doubles title at the U.S. Open last year in their first tournament together. ... Her brother is 2000 U.S. Open champion Marat Safin - her temperament isn't quite as explosive as her brother's. ... Defeated Jankovic twice and Kuznetsova once during a long winning streak this year.
 
 

VENUS WILLIAMS (7)
Age: 28
Country: United States
2008 Match Record: 24-8
2008 Singles Titles: 1 (0)
Career Singles Titles: 37 (22)
Major Titles: 7 - U.S. Open (2000-01), Wimbledon (2000-01, 2005, 2007-08)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-SF, '06-DNP, '05-QF, '04-4th, '03-DNP
Topspin: Beat Serena in this year's Wimbledon final. ... Could play Serena in the quarterfinals, not exactly the draw the sisters wanted. ... Was formidable at the U.S. Open from 1997-02 - two titles, two other appearances in the finals and two more in the semifinals. ... Is last woman to win consecutive U.S. Opens.
 
 

VERA ZVONAREVA (8)
Age: 23
Country: Russia
2008 Match Record: 43-15
2008 Singles Titles: 1 (0)
Career Singles Titles: 6 (3)
Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: QF, French Open (2003)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-3rd, '06-3rd, '05-DNP, '04-4th, '03-3rd
Topspin: Won bronze at the Olympics, part of a Russian sweep of the medals. ... Worth watching, because she's prone to emotional outbursts. Can take out anger on her racket, the net or the chair umpire at a moment's notice. ... Was 1-3 on North American hard courts this summer.
 
 

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA (9)
Age: 19
Country: Poland
2008 Match Record: 44-14
2008 Singles Titles: 3 (1)
Career Singles Titles: 4 (2)
Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: QF, Australian Open (2008), Wimbledon (2008)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-4th, '06-2nd, '05-DNP, '04-DNP, '03-DNP
Topspin: Posted bold, breakthrough win over Sharapova in the third round at last year's U.S. Open. The Krakow Kid would walk halfway to the service box and hop, before backing off to receive. ... Withdrew from tournaments this summer with forearm and quadriceps injuries.
 
 

LINDSAY DAVENPORT (23)
Age: 32
Country: United States
2008 Match Record: 22-4
2008 Singles Titles: 2 (2)
Career Singles Titles: 55 (36)
Major Titles: 3 - U.S. Open (1998), Wimbledon (1999), Australian Open (2000)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: '07-DNP, '06-QF, '05-QF, '04-SF, '03-SF
Topspin: Making her 17th appearance at the U.S. Open. ... Has reached the quarterfinals every year she's played since 1997 ... Played well earlier this year, winning Memphis and reaching semis at Amelia Island and quarters at Indian Wells. ... Injured right knee has limited her to one match since April.

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