Top billing for Djokovic and Serena
The Serb is chasing his 10th major title; the American, a first Grand Slam in 27 years
World No 1s Serena Williams, aiming to complete the first calendar-year grand slam in 27 years, and Novak Djokovic have been named the top seeds for the US Open starting on Monday.
Williams, winner of the last three US women’s singles crowns at Flushing Meadows, is followed on the seeding list by number two Simona Halep of Romania, a 2014 French Open finalist.
Russia’s Maria Sharapova, the 2006 winner, is seeded third with 2014 finalist Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark seeded fourth.
Five-time champion Roger Federer is the second seed for the men's event where the top10 seeds feature five US Open champions and six Grand Slam winners in all.
In addition to 2011 champion Djokovic of Serbia and Switzerland’s Federer (2004-08), former US champions include Andy Murray (2012), Rafael Nadal (2010, 13) and last year's winner, Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Scotland’s Murray is seeded third, Spaniard Nadal is eighth and Cilic seeded ninth. SOMDEV, SAKETH FALL Somdev Devvarman and Saketh Myneni could not cross even the first hurdle at the US Open Qualifiers as both the Indian Davis Cuppers lost their openers after winning first sets against their respective rivals.
Somdev, who has been struggling for a long time now on the Tour, lost 7-5 5-7 1-6 against the Slovakian 20th seed Nerbert Gombos. Saketh also had a one- set advantage but ended up losing the first round contest 6-4 4-6 1-6 against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
India still have two players striving to make the main draw with Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan.
Yuki is up against Japan’s 23rd seed Yoshihito Nishioka while Ramkumar opens his campaign against Poland’s Pedro Sousa.