US Open: Women's Singles Preview

               Can you really look past Serena Williams?



She's arguably the greatest of all time, she's arguably the most intimidating female athlete on the planet and she will be more determined than ever at Flushing Meadows to win her eighteenth grand slam title.

Serena Williams always finds another gear at the US Open, she loves performing well in front a boisterous New York crowd. The American is having a sub-par year compared to her lofty heights but the evidence does not lie, with her five past appearances at the US Open resulting in three wins, a final and a semi-final.

 

"She's arguably the most

intimidating female athlete on the planet"

 

She's also hitting form at the right time, winning two titles to clinch the US Open series (rewarding the best player throughout the warm-up events with extra cash if they win the US Open).

For new world number-two Simona Halep, this year is all about breakthroughs...her highest WTA ranking, her first grand slam final. She's athletic, she's quick and she has the right temperament to win a grand slam.

She has all the skills, but does she have the raw power necessary to break through the grand slam wall?

My guess is that at the US Open, no. It will take a special player to beat the little Romanian, she will go deep.




Simona Halep - Source: Getty Image

It's been an odd year for the now five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova, she's become a clay-court specialist in many ways, a far cry from her younger days when attempts on the dirt were nothing but awkward.

Sharapova sits on top of the singles race for the year largely due to her wins at Roland Garros and Madrid and I think she'll give Serena a real shake in New York. She has the raw power to trouble anyone.

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and finalist Eugenie Bouchard have both struggled since the title decider in Britain. I don't expect either of them to feature in the US decider. It's a lack of consistency that will plague both youngsters here.

Petra Kvitova - Source: Zimbio

One player that has no problem with consistency is Agnieszka Radwanska, one of the most skilful female players we've ever seen.

The Pole will need the bigger, more powerful girls to falter in order to win.

Other contenders we have include Venus Williams, playing better this season, but perhaps not well enough to string seven wins together in tough conditions. Ana Ivanovic can beat anyone at her best, but will struggle with consistency. Victoria Azarenka has always been one of Serena's biggest rivals, but the Belarussian is still coming back from injury and will need some more time to be at her best.

All eyes are of Serena Williams... again.