Players to watch in the U.S. Open

   The U.S. Open begins Monday (10 a.m. PDT on ESPN) and continues through Sept. 13. Here are players to watch (seedings in parentheses):

WOMEN

Serena Williams, shown in March, will try to achieve
the first calendar-year Grand Slam since Steffi Graf
in 1988. Photo by Paul Bauman

   Serena Williams (1) -- Seeks fourth straight U.S. Open title and record seventh overall, first calendar-year Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988 and 22nd major singles titles (tying Graf for second on all-time list behind Margaret Court's 24). NorCal connection: Three-time Bank of the West Classic champion at Stanford (2011, 2012, 2014).

   Simona Halep (2) -- Last year's French Open runner-up has never reached U.S. Open quarterfinals in five attempts. NorCal connection: Lost in first round of 2011 Bank of the West Classic in only appearance at Stanford.

   Maria Sharapova (3) -- U.S. Open champion in 2006 has been sidelined since Wimbledon with muscle strain in right leg. NorCal connection: Runner-up to Victoria Azarenka in 2010 Bank of the West Classic.

   Caroline Wozniacki (4) -- Two-time U.S. Open runner-up (2009, 2014) and former world No. 1 hasn't beaten top-35 player on this summer's hardcourt circuit. NorCal connection: In Bank of the West Classic debut this month, lost to No. 60 Varvara Lepchenko in second round after receiving bye.

   Petra Kvitova (5) -- Two-time Wimbledon champion (2011, 2014), who has never reached U.S. Open quarterfinals in seven attempts, has been suffering from mononucleosis but won third New Haven title on Saturday. NorCal connection: None.
   Garbine Muguruza (9) -- This year's Wimbledon runner-up withdrew from Stanford with abdominal strain, then lost early in Toronto and Cincinnati. NorCal connection: Won doubles title in 2014 Bank of the West Classic with fellow Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro.

   Belinda Bencic (12) -- Eighteen-year-old Swiss handed Williams second loss of year en route to Toronto title two weeks ago. NorCal connection: None.

   Victoria Azarenka (20) -- Two-time Australian Open champion and former world No. 1 gradually rebounding from foot and knee injuries last year. NorCal connection: Won Bank of the West Classic in 2010.

Prediction

   Williams will overcome her biggest obstacle, pressure, and earn a calendar-year Grand Slam.

MEN

Novak Djokovic, also shown in March, seeks
his first U.S. Open title in four years.
Photo by Paul Bauman

   Novak Djokovic (1) -- Hasn't won U.S. Open since 2011; 1-4 in finals at Flushing Meadows. Northern California connection: None.

   Roger Federer (2) -- Five-time U.S. Open champion (2004-08) turned 34 this month. NorCal connection: None.

   Andy Murray (3) -- U.S. Open champion in 2012 beat Djokovic two weeks ago in Montreal final. NorCal connection: Went 10-0 in now-defunct SAP Open in San Jose, winning title in 2006 at 18 years old and in 2007. Also won Aptos Challenger in 2005.

   Kei Nishikori (4) -- U.S. Open runner-up last year withdrew from Cincinnati last week with hip injury. NorCal connection: Played in SAP Open three times, losing in second round in 2008, 2009, 2011. Brad Gilbert of San Rafael coached Nishikori in 2011.

   Stan Wawrinka (5) -- Added this year's French Open title to 2014 Australian Open crown. NorCal connection: None.

   Tomas Berdych (6) -- Wimbledon runner-up in 2010 lost to qualifiers in Montreal (Donald Young in second round) and Cincinnati (Alexandr Dolgopolov in quarterfinals) this month. NorCal connection: Reached quarterfinals of 2009 SAP Open as fifth seed in only San Jose appearance.

   Rafael Nadal (8) -- Two-time U.S. Open champion (2010, 2013) has slumped after missing three months last summer with right wrist injury and undergoing appendectomy in November. NorCal connection: None.  

   Marin Cilic (9) -- U.S. Open defending champion played only one tournament in first three months of year because of right (serving) shoulder injury. NorCal connection: None.

Prediction

   Sorry, folks. I'm going to keep riding the Williams-Djokovic train until it goes off the tracks. Djokovic has a favorable draw given Nadal's loss of confidence and Cilic's struggles, but Murray and possibly Federer loom as big threats.