Last year’s surprise US Open victor Flavia Pennetta retired at the end of the 2015 season, with Agnieszka Radwanska, Simona Halep and Venus Williams among those with realistic hopes of halting Serena.
Advertisement
With Roger Federer also missing with a back injury Murray could be considered the favourite for this year’s US Open, but the Scot is maintaining his focus regardless.
He looked primed for a Grand Slam run after winning the first two majors of the year in the Australian Open and French Open.
And the American was in stunning form, dropping just 19 games in six matches on her way to the final, where top seed Victoria Azarenka – who had earlier seen off defending champion Stosur – put up more of a fight but was ultimately beaten 6-2 2-6 7-5.
There was talk of a changing of the guard when Williams lost in the Australian Open and French Open finals this year, but she responded by matching Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 major singles crowns at Wimbledon in July.
A motivated Djokovic ultimately will be too tough for the rest of the field in NY.
There are several possible routes for the German but whatever happens, Williams must at least reach the last four, and if Kerber makes the quarters, Williams must get to the final. Will Serena have what it takes to claim the US Open victory and propel herself into the record books, or will her shoulder injury put the dream on the backburner?
Keys was guided by former Wimbledon victor Lindsay Davenport during her breakout season in 2015. She’s made more of a commitment to tennis.
Fourth-seeded Rafa Nadal, victor of 14 slams, and fifth seed Milos Raonic of Canada could clash in the quarters for a possible semi-finals showdown with Djokovic.
In a way, Williams is chasing Kerber rather than vice versa. “Not the same pressure she faced a year ago, but there will be a little bit of pressure”.
“I wasn’t able to play much since Wimbledon”.
Not necessarily a big deal to her that she’s spent the past 3½ years entrenched at No. 1 and is the oldest woman ever to top the WTA rankings.
She has won this tournament six times, including a streak of three titles in a row from 2012 through 2014. She never really stops. If Radwanska were to face Muguruza in the finals and she won, then Williams could fall all the way to fourth in the world.
‘And you have to play really good tennis and to continue your good tennis so to have the chance, it’s great.
Djokovic, who was knocked out in the first round in Rio by Juan Martin Del Potro, is still struggling with a wrist problem but Murray, who also won the last grand slam, Wimbledon, said the Serbian was still the man to beat.
Williams’s bid to retain her Olympic singles title ended in Rio de Janeiro this month when she was sent crashing out of the third round by Elina Svitolina.
Advertisement
Riding the momentum, she then broke early in the second to lead 2-1 before Maria was forced to take a time-out to be treated for injury.
