Attacking Clijsters ready to defend

Second seed Clijsters has put in the effort,adding a Cincinnati crown earlier this month to titles won earlier this year at Brisbane and Miami,making herself a favourite. “I’m excited to be back and to defend my title,” Clijsters said. “I don’t feel any more pressure. Pressure is a good thing. Pressure is a sign of why they are putting you in the spot of one of the favourites.” Last year,Clijsters was able to frolic on the court with her daughter and celebrate with her husband in a memorable trophy ceremony.

This time,world number one Serena Williams is out with a right foot injury and her sister,US third seed Venus Williams,has not played since Wimbledon because of a left knee sprain. Belgian veteran Justine Henin is out and the woman Clijsters beat in last year’s final,Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki,is the top seed. “She is a great player,” Clijsters said of Wozniacki. “You don’t get there by luck. She definitely deserves to be up there.” Clijsters opens against Hungary’s Greta Arn. “Obviously there are a lot of other players who have as big a chance as anybody to win this year,” Clijsters said. “It’s a very interesting US Open this year.”

Chance for Somdev

Meanwhile,Somdev Devvarman would look to cash in on his first ever direct entry into a Grand Slam and better his record at tennis majors while Sania Mirza will be looking to revive her international career when they begin their campaigns on Monday.

The careers of Somdev and Sania are a contrast. Somdev did not have to go through the qualifiers for the first time and Sania had to earn an entry into a Grand Slam for the first time through a qualifying event since 2005.

The game has become very physical and Somdev takes a lot of pain to keep himself fit for the tough challenges on a very demanding tour.

Sania though is grappling with loss of form and a recurrent wrist injury. She is up against Portugal’s Michelle Larcher De Brito,who is ranked 16 places below her. It will be the first meeting between the two players. Somdev has a tricky first round opponent in in-form South African Davis Cupper Kevin Anderson.

India’s title hopes will yet again rest on the experienced Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy enter as defending champions,having defeated Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the final. Bhupathi,meanwhile,will look to end his men’s doubles title drought,with his last win coming in 2002 at the US Open.