Clijsters the one to beat

Just as Roger Federer is a worthy favourite for the men's event at the US Open, so Kim Clijsters looks the one to beat in the women's competition at Flushing Meadows. On the face of it, there could be any one of six or seven winners, but on closer inspection, it really comes down to just a few - Clijsters, her fellow Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne, Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport.

I know, I'm writing off the Williams sisters and that, as Wimbledon showed, is a very dangerous thing. However, Serena has barely played this summer and the knee and ankle injuries that have plagued her since March have almost certainly not cleared up in time for a proper assault on the title. If fit, then she's probably still the best, as she showed when winning the Australian Open. Venus is more difficult to judge. Again, she has barely played, but this is more because her amazing Wimbledon triumph took such a lot out of her. Again, if she's fit, then she'll be a threat, but there are too many question marks.

So, to Clijsters. The Belgian has yet to win a grand slam title, losing in four finals, but this year she looks the one to beat. Having missed the best part of a year with wrist problems, she returned in stunning fashion, winning back-to-back titles in Miami and Indian Wells. Since then she's won four more titles including three this summer and she's beaten all the top players. bet365 have yet to produce their prices on the women's event - scared, perhaps, to show their hand - but if she's anything better than 2/1 (3.00) then she is worth backing. Perhaps it's her time.

The rivals
Henin-Hardenne is always a danger. As she is in the other half to Clijsters, another all-Belgian final is possible. The former champion is a world class player, as she showed once more in winning the French Open in June. However, the fact that Clijsters overcame a mental block to beat her last time out means she may not quite be at the top of her game this time.

Sharapova is a bit of an enigma though as she has been ultra-consistent this year without adding to her Wimbledon triumph of 2004. Having become the first Russian ever to become women's world No 1 she should be full of confidence, but there is a danger she could find all the extra demands on her time too much of a distraction. She's likely to perform better than ever before in New York, but this could be a year or two too soon for her.

To my mind the best outsider, and that's because she isn't really that, is Lindsay Davenport. A month off due to a back injury has seemingly not affected her too much and she will be fresher than most going into the final grand slam of the year. The American reached the final in Australia and at Wimbledon and on hardcourts, particularly in the US, she is virtually unbeatable. The only real question is whether she has the stamina to get through and win a two-week event, but with a great draw, she has a superb chance and the chances are she's likely to be close to double figures in the betting, which would be too good to ignore.