DINARA SAFINA (RUS)

World ranking: 1
Birthdate: April 27, 1986
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'11" (182 cm)
Weight: 154 lbs (70 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2000
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career singles titles: 12
Best US Open result: Semi-Finals (2008)

Lost to Serena Williams in Australian Open final and compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in the French Open final, Safina will try to finally win a Grand Slam title and silence the critics who claim she doesn't deserve to be world number one without at least one Slam crown.

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)

World ranking: 2
Birthdate: Sept 26, 1981
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1995
Grand Slam singles titles: 11 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 Australian Open; 2002 French Open; 2002, 2003, 2009 Wimbledon; 1999, 2002, 2008 US Open)
Career singles titles: 34
Best US Open result: Champion (1999, 2002, 2008)

Reigning US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon champion sets sights upon a 12th career Grand Slam crown. Went only 6-3 in hardcourt events after beating sister Venus in Wimbledon final but looking to regain top ranking and defend crown in New York.

VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)

World ranking: 3
Birthdate: June 17, 1980
Birthplace: Lynwood, California, USA
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1994
Grand Slam singles titles: 7 (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 Wimbledon; 2000, 2001 US Open)
Career singles titles: 41
Best US Open result: Champion (2000, 2001)

Lost to sister Serena in final at Wimbledon, where she has won five titles. Ran to Stanford final last month but lost two of three matches after. Has the skills to capture the crown but last reached Flushing Meadows final in 2002. Was ousted in quarter-finals last year.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA (RUS)

World ranking: 4
Birthdate: Oct 15, 1981
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1998
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career singles titles: 14
Best US Open result: Runner-up (2004)

Won last major US Open tuneup at Toronto. Lost to Serena Williams in semi-finals of Australian Open and Wimbledon but defeated her in Toronto semi-final after earlier US Open tuneup semi-final ousters at the hands of Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic. Last made a Slam final at 2004 US Open,

JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB)

World ranking: 5
Birthdate: Febuary 28, 1985
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA
Height: 5' 9 1/2" (177 cm)
Weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2000
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career singles titles: 11
Best US Open result: Runner-up (2008)

Reached her only Grand Slam final at last year's US Open, losing to Serena Williams. Ousted in fourth round at French and Australian Opens and third round at Wimbledon but won Cincinnati title, beating Dinara Safina in final of US Open tuneup.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS)

World ranking: 6
Birthdate: June 27, 1985
Birthplace: St Petersburg, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'8" (174 cm)
Weight: 161 lbs (73 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2000
Grand Slam singles titles: 2 (2009 French Open; 2004 US Open)
Career singles titles: 11
Best US Open result: Champion (2004)

Victory at this year's French Open brought Kuznetsova her second Grand Slam and quarter-final triumph over Serena Williams denied the American's bid for third Slam title in a row. Her only Slam finals outside Paris came here in 2004 win and 2007 finals loss to Justine Henin.

MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS)

World ranking: 30
Birthdate: April 19, 1987
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA
Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2001
Grand Slam singles titles: 3 (2008 Australian Open; 2004 Wimbledon; 2006 US Open)
Career singles titles: 19
Best US Open result: Champion (2006)

Missed last year's US Open with right shoulder injury and was sidelined much of this season after surgery, unable to defend her 2008 Australian Open title. She ended a nine-month layoff at Warsaw, reached the French Open quarter-finals but was ousted in the second round at Wimbledon. Lost to Venus Williams in Stanford quarter-finals, Flavia Pennetta in Los Angeles Semi-finals and in Toronto final to Elena Dementieva but improved in every US Open tuneup.

KIM CLIJSTERS (BEL)

World ranking: Unranked
Birthdate: June 8, 1983
Birthplace: Bilzen, Belgium
Residence: Bree, Belgium
Height: 5' 8 1/2'" (1.74 m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1997
Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (2005 US Open)
Career singles titles: 34
Best US Open result: Champion (2005)

Came out of retirement in August after a two-year retirement to start a family. The former world number one has not played at the US Open since winning the title in 2005. Last won a WTA title in 2007 at Sydney. Retired in May 2007 at fourth in the world. Lost to Dinara Safina in Cincinnati quarter-finals at return event and to Jelena Jankovic in third round at Toronto in last US Open tuneup.

AFP

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