Women to watch

KAROLINA PLISKOVA

Ranked: 1Age: 25Country: Czech Republic Career Singles Titles :9

Major Titles: 0— Best: Runner-up, U.S. Open(’16)

Aces: Rose to No .1 after Wimbledon despite second-round loss there and zero Grand Slam titles .... Leads WT AT our in aces this season.

Topspin: Could make a case as most talented woman without a major title .... Showed just how good she can be in upset of Serena Williams in semi fifi na ls a year a goat Flushing Meadows.

SIMONA HALEP

Ranked: 2Age: 25Country: Romania Career Singles Titles :15

Major Titles: 0— Best: Runner-up, French Open (’14, ’17) Aces: Entered three matches this season with a chance to move to No. 1 for the fifirst time with a victory— and lost each time.

Topspin: Asmart, versatile player who still seems to freeze up at key moments. ... Hardcourts are not her best surface but no reason she shouldn’ t go far these two weeks.

GARBINE MUGURUZA

Ranked: 3Age: 23Country: Spain Career Singles Titles :5

Major Titles: 2— Wimbledon(’17), French Open(’16)

Aces: Only won two of six career matches at Flushing Meadows .... The most in-form player on tour at the moment, winning 16 of past 18 matches, including Wimbledon title. Topspin: When she’s relaxed and con fifi dent, she is as good as it gets right now in women’ s tennis.

VENUSWILLIAMS

Ranked: 9 Age: 37 Country: United States Career Singles Titles :49

Major Titles: 7— Wimbledon(’00, ’01, ’05, ’07, ’08), U.S. Open(’00, ’01)

Aces: Making her 19th U.S. Open appearance. ... Only woman to rea chat least the fourth round at past six Grand Slam tournaments.

Topspin: Appearances inf if in al sat Australian Open and Wimbledon this year proved she can still play at a high level.

MARIASHARAPOVA

Ranked: 147 Age: 30 Country: Russia Career Singles Titles :35

Major Titles: 5— U.S. Open(’06), Australian Open (’08), French Open (’12, ’14), Wimbledon(’04)

Aces: Wild-card entry. ... Missed three of thepast four U.S. Opens, including last year because of a doping suspension .... This will be he rf if ir st Grand Slam tournament appearance since the Australian Open in January 2016, when she tested positive for a newly banned drug.

Topspin: Dealt with injuries toher left leg and left forearm since coming back from her ban in April, so noway to know what sort of level she’ ll be able to play at in New York.