Friday 23 August 2013

US Open Preview: Top 5 picks for the tournament

Number 5: Caroline Wozniacki


Am I crazy for picking Wozniacki? Maybe. But just look at her past results here in New York, you'll understand that despite her recent form, she plays well on this surface. Also, she's in the utterly soft part of the draw, drawing possibly the weakest top 4 seed ever in Errani. If she finds some of her 2011 form, and some early upsets knock out the favourites, she might just be laughing her way to the title.

Number 4: Simona Halep


Another crazy pick here because of the weak quarter, Halep has her biggest chance to reach the latter stages of the tournament. Her incredible form in recent months shows that she has the game to keep winning. She just needs to translate the winning formula into the Slams, where she had some tough draw. With an open draw this time, she can do some real damage.

Number 3: Agnieszka Radwanska


The steady Pole will be the one who takes over once the top favourite are knocked out. Despite not having won any tournaments in her busy US Open series run, she has always reached the latter stages of tournaments and just had the tough luck of meeting inspired opponents. Not a big fan of her game, but I have to admit she has the tools to trouble 99% of the players. However, she must pray hard that Serena and Azarenka are upset in the early rounds, or else she almost has no chance of winning her maiden major.

Number 2: Serena Williams


Serena Williams might be the top favourite for most pundits going into the tournament, but I believe she's not a shoo-in for the title. Her 2013 is almost flawless, and she is in the form of her life at 31. However, as shown in the Toronto final, she did tire out due to the amount of matches that she had played. No doubt that the American has the game and desire, but she needs to take note of her body, and not be embroiled in unnecessary long matches to preserve her energy.

Number 1: Victoria Azarenka


Not many people can claim to have beaten Serena Williams this year. And Azarenka can totally boast of her 2 wins over the American so far. The Belarussian is going into New York with a Toronto title, and brimming with confidence with her upset win over Serena. Despite some dire form shown in Carlsbad, she reversed the tide and played solidly for Toronto, giving her the perfect preparation going into New York. If she does meet Serena in the finals, we can expect to have a cracking final

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