2016 US Open: Top 5 dark horses for the Women's Singles tournament

Modified Aug 29, 2016 08:15 GMT

NEW HAVEN, CT - AUGUST 26: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic returns a shot to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland on day 6 of the Connecticut Open at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale on August 26, 2016 in New Haven, Connecticut. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) — The Czech will be looking to carry her good form from Rio into the US Open

#3. Venus Williams

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 06: Venus Williams of USA in action against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium in the women's first round on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) — Venus Williams will be a heavy dark horse heading into the US Open

The two-time US Open champion showed signs of resurgence by reaching the semi-finals of the Wimbledon.

However, she had a disappointing singles performance at Rio as she lost to Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round. Her doubles performance was really good though, having won the silver medal in the Mixed Doubles tournament alongside Rajeev Ram.Seeded sixth at the tournament, Venus will be facing up against Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova and will be expected to have a cakewalk till the fourth round where she would face 10^th seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova who recently won the Cincinnati Masters, beating Australian Open Champion and World No.2 Angelique Kerber.

A win in the fourth round will most likely pit her against fourth seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska. Venus had a lukewarm outing at Rio but if she can replicate her form from the Wimbledon, then she could well be a player to be reckoned with.

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Edited by Staff Editor