2012 US Open Picks: Women’s Side

One-time Slam-winners Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova are fighting to earn their first US Open title. Serena Williams has continued her domination of the competition, winning a Wimbledon title, and the gold medal at the Olympic Games, but nothing would complete her comeback like a US Open title. Maria Sharapova completed her career Slam, but hungers to win more Major titles. It promises to be an exciting US Open. Without further ado, here are some predictions.

Victoria Azarenka’s Quarter:

Top seed Azarenka shares a quarter with defending US Open Champion Samantha Stosur. Kim Clijsters, Julia Goerges, Sabine Lisicki, and Na Li are potential challengers to the top seeded Azarenka and Stosur.

Azarenka has flown under the radar since winning the singles bronze at the Olympic Games. She retired in her first Montreal match due to fatigue and a minor knee injury, and didn’t play in Cincinnati. But the World No. 1 has a 48-7 record in 2012, and shouldn’t be counted out. If healthy, she’s capable of making a deep run.

Stosur plays her best tennis when nobody thinks she’s a threat. After shocking the world by winning the 2011 US Open, she bombed out in the first round of her home Slam, the Australian Open. How well she does this year at the US Open will depend on how much pressure she’s feeling to defend her title. Her 2012 has been a bit of a mixed bag so far, so expectations should be low.

Projected Quarterfinals: Azarenka d. Clijsters.

Maria Sharapova’s Quarter:

Sharapova shares a quarter with next-highest seed Petra Kvitova. Marion Bartoli, Lucie Safarova, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova are also in that quarter.

Kvitova looks to be in top form after failing to win a title in 2012 up through the Olympic Games. After that, she won the US Open Series, including titles in Montreal and New Haven, and reached the semis in Cincinnati.

Sharapova has taken time off since winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games, citing a stomach illness. But she’s had one of the best years of her career with winning that Olympic medal, along with completing her Career Slam by winning the French Open.

Projected Quarterfinals: Kvitova d. Sharapova.

Serena Williams’ Quarter:

Williams shares a quarter with the struggling eighth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki. Ana Ivanovic, Maria Kirilenko, and Francesca Schiavone are also in their quarter.

Williams is the obvious favorite to come through against any opponent in her quarter.

Projected Quarterfinals: Williams d. Wozniacki.

Agnieszka Radwanska’s Quarter:

Radwanska and Angelique Kerber anchor their quarter of the draw. Venus Williams is a dangerous sleeper who could stand in Kerber’s way of making the quarterfinals. Dominika Cibulkova and Jelena Jankovic are also in this quarter.

Projected Quarterfinals: Kerber d. Radwanska.

Now for the fun part:

Projected semifinals: Kvitova d. Azarenka, Williams d. Kerber.

Projected final: Williams d. Kvitova.