You already know what’s going to happen on the men’s side – the GOAT, Roger Federer, seems to be a lock to reach the Finals. He’s won the last five US Opens. He also captured the French Open and Wimbledon this year. The most likely candidates to knock him off: Rafael Nadal (3rd seed) or Andy Murray (2nd seed). The other two stories from the men’s bracket: Andy Roddick’s wife, and the girlfriend of Tommy Haas. The women’s draw is much more wide open and compelling. With the tournament beginning today, we’ve compiled a rather comprehensive list of female players you may want to familiarize yourself.

Mallory Cecil: With two wins, the former Duke star would face the tourney’s top seed, Dinara Safina.

Arantxa Rus: The 18 year old Czech is 5-foot-11 and playing in her first US Open.
playing in 1st us open.

Shuai Peng: Advanced to the 3rd round at the Australian open earlier this year.

Ana Ivanovic: Needs no introduction. Since winning the French Open last year, she’s had five weak showings in grand slams.

Anastasia Rodionova – Australian hasn’t made it out of the 1st round since the Australian open in 2008.

Sabine Lisicki - The 19 year old German reached the QFs at Wimbledon, and if she makes a run here, probably will be get some airtime.

Alona Bondarenko – The 25-year-old has made it to the third round in each of the last two US Opens, and has a Kournikova-like quality when she goes to the braid.

Gisela Dulko – Increasingly popular Argentianian having arguably her best season since 2005. Should get out of the first round at the Open for the first time in three years.

Jelena Jankovic – Hard-bodied 5th seed is struggling a bit this year after an awesome 2008, which she reached the semifinals in three of the four grand slams (zero this year).

Maria Sharapova – hasn’t won a major since the Australian Open in 2008; won the US Open in 2006 but hasn’t played in the tournament the last two years.

Caroline Wozniacki – The first Danish woman to be ranked in the top 10 just won the Pilot Pen tournament.

Mathilde Johansson – Has never made it beyond the 2nd round of a grand slam.

Maria Kirilenko – The 22-year-old Russian has broken through with fans for obvious reasons; she’s never reached the QFs of a grand slam event in this her 7th year on the tour.

Agnieszka Radwanska – The 20-year-old from Poland is on the rise after back-to-back runs to the QF in Wimbledon.

Jelena Dokic – The only grand slam event in which she hasn’t reached the QFs is the Us Open. she’s probably have to go through Kim Clijsters to do that this year.

Iveta Benesova – In her 8th season on the tour, she’s never made it beyond the 3rd round in a grand slam event.

Venus Williams – Seeded third. Last won the US Open in 2000 and 2001. If all goes according to form, she’ll face her sister in the semifinals.

Anna Chakvetadze – You may remember her name because she was tied up at her home and robbed at the end of 2007. It came after a banner season for her – she reached the QFs at the Australian Open and French Open, and the semifinals of the US Open. She hasn’t been the same player since.

Elena Vesnina – She’s seeded 31st. The photo of her lying down might be the most clicked-on in this post.

Sania Mirza – The most popular female Indian tennis player … ever?If she wins a couple matches, the popularity will rise.

Daniela Hantuchova – Gladiator is her favorite movie.

Serena Williams – The No. 2 seed won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and won the US Open last year. The phrase you’ll want to use after looking at her pictures: Smack it up, flip it, rub it down, oh noooooo!