Ones to watch at the US Open

Venus and Serena Williams

Both sisters have won the US Open twice each and the hardcourts at Flushing Meadows, with its low bounce, suits their powerful baseline play. Coupled with home advantage, either one could emerge as a winner.

Lindsay Davenport

Since making her debut in 1991, the American has only missed the US Open once – last year when she took time off due to pregnancy. The 32-year-old is coming to the end of a productive career, which includes the 1998 US Open crown. Spurred on by her adoring home fans, she will be strongly motivated to win another Flushing Meadows crown – especially since the women's draw is looking wide open this year.

Andy Roddick

The American, who turns 26 on the middle Saturday of the tournament, won the US Open in 2003 – his first and only Grand Slam. Since then Roger Federer has swept the last four editions, but with the Swiss out of sorts this year and as new No1 Rafael Nadal has never progressed past the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows, Roddick has a good chance.

Maria Sharapova

The Russian has lived in America since moving there at the age of six with her father, and is hugely popular at the US Open. The 21-year old takes the tournament extremely seriously having withdrawn from the Olympics just so she could be well rested to mount a title challenge. If she succeeds, it will be her second Flushing Meadows crown following her 2006 triumph.

James Blake

The American knocked out Roger Federer at the Olympics – his first win in eight attempts over the Swiss – and will want to convert that confidence boost into a solid performance for his home crowd.