US Open 2013: 5 women`s players to watch out for : Petra Kvitova

Serena Williams

At the age of 31, Serena Williams is enjoying a terrific WTA season and in 2013 itself she has won eight titles. She has won one major title this year – French Open. However, she was shown the door at Wimbledon by unheralded Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round. More recently, she lost in the final of the Cincinnati Open to Victoria Azarenka.

When we look at her win-loss record this year, it stands at 60-4. So, statistically speaking, on the whole, Serena has been a dominating figure in the circuit.

The American won her first US Open title 14 years before in 1999. It took her a decade to win another major title at home.

Till date she has won four US Open titles and she enters the final Grand Slam tournament of the year as the defending champion.

Going by her form this year, the top seeded American looks all set to achieve her 16th Grand Slam singles title.

Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka began the year defending her title at the Australian Open. There she defeated Serena Williams in the final to record her second major title win. She had to skip few events afterwards owing to injury.

She made it to the semi-final of the second Grand Slam event of the year where she lost to eventual runner-up Maria Sharapova. At Wimbledon, she was among a sizable lot that withdrew from the event due to injuries. A back problem led to another withdrawal at the Rogers Cup but at Cincinnati Open, she emerged victorious beating Serena Williams in the final – her third title of the year.

The 24-year-old will look to come out of the shadow of veterans such as Serena and considering her good form she might as well be able to go all the distance at Flushing Meadows.

Agnieszka Radwanska

Agnieszka Radwanska`s best showing at a major tournament came last year at Wimbledon when she lost to eventual champion Serena Williams in the final.

Her record at the US Open isn`t that inspiring where she has at most made it to the fourth round on three different occasions. She began 2013 season winning two consecutive titles at Auckland and Sydney following which she has managed to produce some consistent results. However, before the beginning of the fourth grand slam event of the year, she didn`t win another title barring the two she won at the beginning.

This year, she made it to the quarterfinal of the Australian and French Open and at Wimbledon lost to Sabine Lisicki in the semis.

Li Na

China`s Li Na is remembered for becoming the first Asian to win a Grand Slam tournament when she defeated Francesca Schiavone in the final of 2011 French Open.

The following year wasn`t much to be talked about as far as her season went by but the 31-year-old began the 2013 season in style by making it to the final of the Australian Open. In the final, after winning the first set, she endured a twisted ankle in the second set and twice needed medical attention. Eventually she lost the next two sets and thus the match.

She bowed out from the French Open in the second round itself losing to Bethanie Mattek-Sands in three sets. Li made it to the quarterfinal of the Wimbledon where she lost to Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets.

At US Open, her best result came in 2009 when she lost to Kim Clijsters in the quarterfinal.

Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova`s current season at best can be described as disappointing. She suffered early exit at both the Australian and French Open this year while she was defeated by Kirsten Flipkens in the quarterfinal of the Wimbledon.

Her record at the US Open isn`t that impressive. She twice has made it to the fourth round including last year when she lost to Marion Bartoli.

In 2013, she has been able to land only one title to her name till date. However, her ranking ensures that she won`t face much trouble till the quarterfinal. After which, owing to her performance so far, it will take a major improvement in her game if she is to harbour any ambition of winning second Grand Slam title.

Her only major title came in 2011 when she defeated favourite Maria Sharapova in the final of the Wimbledon.