US Open Women's draw preview: Can anyone prevent a Serena-Azarenka final?

Victoria Azarenka

Fourth Quarter

With a 25-1 record on hardcourts this year and a win over Serena Williams in Cincinnati, Victoria Azarenka comes into the US Open as the second favourite behind the top-ranked Williams. And the Belarusian also seems to have an easier path to the finals as compared to her chief rival.

26th-seeded Alize Cornet awaits in the third round while 13th seed Ana Ivanovic or 17th seed Dominika Cibulkova, winner in Stanford, are potential fourth round opponents.

On the other side of this quarter is the former Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova, who seems to be stuck in the second tier of the game now. The Czech has always had problems with the heat and her breathing on outdoor hardcourts and has never reached the quarters in New York.

She could meet the former world no. 10 Andrea Petkovic, who is beginning to look solid and stable once again, in the second round, the dangerous Mona Barthel, seeded 28th, in the third round, and former US Open champion Samantha Stosur in the fourth round.

Upset Special – 18 year old Elina Svitolina to upset 17th seed CibulkovaAlso watch out for – Daniela Hantuchova and Alison RiskePredicted Quarter-final – Stosur vs. Azarenka

Semi-Finals – Williams vs. Radwanska; Halep vs. Azarenka Fianls – Azarenka to beat Williams