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Breaking down the U.S. Open draw Posted: Thursday August 22, 2002 3:29 PM
Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim peers into his crystal ball to reveal the fate of the top 16 men's and women's seeds for the U.S. Open. Scroll down to see the first-round matches you shouldn't miss, some darkhorse candidates to advance to Week 2, and his championship predictions. WOMEN'S REPORT | Men's Report 1. Serena Williams: The knee is a minor cause for concern, but she considers herself the favorite -- and who are we to argue? Cushy draw doesn't hurt either, but the gut says that the tide will turn and Venus gets back on the board. 2. Venus Williams: The lone drama of the women's draw: Can she turn the tables on li'l sis? Might get a few good workouts -- Barbara Schett, Chanda Rubin, Jennifer Capriati -- along the way, but it will be shocking if there isn't another all-Williams finale. 3. Jennifer Capriati: Don't look now but the Capster hasn't won an event since Australia. If she isn't on her game, she's likely to lose to Amelie Mauresmo, for the third time in eight weeks, in the quarters. 4. Lindsay Davenport: Nice to have the 1998 champ back in the mix, but she still has too much ring rust (court rust?) to seriously threaten Williams Nation. Still, she's a fair bet to reach the semis.
6. Monica Seles: Sentimental fave deserves our admiration. But even without a bum foot, her best days have passed. 7. Kim Clijsters: If she's around past the quarters, it will be only as a Lleyton supporter. Another bad loss -- of which there have been puzzlingly many this year -- and it might be time for shoulder surgery. Eleni Daniilidou could give her fits in Round 3. 8. Justine Henin: Where is her confidence after a surprising loss to Anastasia Myskina in New Haven, City of Elms? 9. Martina Hingis: See: Davenport. Her return is welcome, but a freshly carved ankle deprives her of the mobility required to make a deep run. 10. Amelie Mauresmo: Has to be encouraged by her play in Montreal -- this on the heels of a Wimbledon semifinal appearance. Assuming her tête is intact, she might be the best bet to break up the Palm Beach Gardens dynasty. 11. Daniela Hantuchova: The tour's Flavor of the Summer has slipped a bit since Wimbledon. Her draw, however, should enable her to make nice run. 12. Elena Dementieva: Blonde, titleless Russian has been struggling badly of late. May live up her seeding, but she's a long way off from her semifinal form of 2000. 13. Silvia Farina Elia: All credit for being a top-15 player at age 30. But she's an upset waiting to happen. 14. Chanda Rubin: Though she cooled of after winning L.A., look for her to make some noise. Fairly cushy draw ensures she'll live up to her seeding. 15. Anastasia Myskina: Still wants for consistent results, but fun-to-watch Russian could inflict some damage, much as she did in New Haven. 16. Magdalena Maleeva: Hasn't been beyond Round 3 since 1994. LOWER SEEDS WORTH WATCHING 17. Anna Smashnova: Game has dovetailed a bit, but we love the footspeed and grit. After tough first-rounder against Swiss Miss Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian, she's in the clear for a few rounds. 18. Ai Sugiyama: Aye, aye. Former top-15 player has found her groove again. 23. Patty Schnyder: Talent is there, but is the heart? 28. Eleni Daniilidou: Big game and a nifty backhand. A player to watch. 29. Barbara Schett: Her glory days have passed, but she's still capable of some good tennis. 30. Meghann Shaughnessy: After cracking the top 10 last year, Arizonan's career is on the downswing. Still, she ought to win a few rounds and could give the right seed some trouble. DARKHORSE NATION Anna Kournikova: Seriously. If the Anna from the California swing shows up, the yuks will stop. Laura Granville: Granny has a solid game and doesn't choke. Barbara Rittner: Fed Cup heroine back on American soil. Elena Bovina: Her big game could give Dokic a workout in Round 2. FIRST-ROUND MATCHES TO WATCH Corina Morariu vs. Serena Williams: Morariu won't win. But she already has. Hingis vs. Marissa Irvin: If Hingis isn't on her game, feisty Californian could score an upset. Rita Grande vs. Dinara Safina: Might Safina outlast her brother in the draw? Hantuchova vs. Nicole Pratt: Feisty veteran will be a good challenge for teenage comer. No. 24 Iva Majoli vs. Ashley Harkleroad: Just because. PREDICTIONS Semifinals: Serena Williams vs. Dokic; Mauresmo vs. Venus Williams
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