World No.1 Serena Williams enters the US Open as a heavy favourite to defend her title, but second-ranked Victoria Azarenka leads a host of rivals looking to dethrone her.
Williams is seeking her 17th grand slam singles crown and fifth US Open title, which would move her one shy of Chris Evert's Open-era record for most titles at the year's final major event on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.
"I'm definitely prepared. I'm definitely ready for New York," Williams said. "I definitely had more matches than I could want, but I'm definitely prepared for the US Open."
The 31-year-old American has been on an amazing run over the past 14 months, going 77-4 and capturing last year's Wimbledon, London Olympic and US Open titles, plus this year's French Open crown.
But two of those defeats came at the hands of Azarenka, in February's Doha final and on Sunday at the WTA final in Cincinnati by a score of 2-6 6-2 7-6 (8-6).
It was only the third victory for the 24-year-old from Belarus over Williams but with the two having won seven of the past nine grand slam titles, it sets the stage for a potential rematch of last year's US Open final.
"It would be totally different circumstances," said Williams, who also beat Azarenka in this year's Rome final. "It's just a new event. You just got to go in there with a fresh mind."
Williams will go into the Open without a win streak such as she had the past few grand slam events.
"It makes me more relaxed and almost happy that I lost because now I don't have to worry about every day someone asking me about some silly winning streak," Williams said. "So maybe it was for the best."
Williams also finds herself in a cordial rivalry, appreciating Azarenka off the court as a friend and on the court as an adversary.
"She's so competitive on the court, like an animal, and I'm the same exact way, like my dad described me as a pitbull," Williams said.
Williams is looking for her ninth title of the year after triumphs in Brisbane, Miami, Charleston, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Bastad and Toronto.
But she has proven vulnerable in grand slams, falling to compatriot Sloane Stephens in the Australian Open quarter-finals and Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round at Wimbledon, but completing her title run on Paris clay with a victory over Russia's Maria Sharapova.
Sharapova would have been the third seed at the US Open but she withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday, citing right shoulder bursitis.
As a result, Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska becomes the third seed, followed in order by Italy's Sara Errani, China's Li Na, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, Czech Petra Kvitova and Germany's Angelique Kerber.
Azarenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, says she has learned from past losses to Williams.
"Every time we play, I face a big challenge, my biggest opponent, and that's what I want to go through," Azarenka said.
"I had tough losses before against her, but I feel like I learned from those losses, and it helps me improve."
Azarenka took confidence from rallying to beat Williams in the Cincinnati final, but says the American will be the favourite on home soil.
"She is No.1 in the world. She is a great champion, and she's defending champion, so she's going to be a favourite," Azarenka said.
"About who's second favourite, third favourite, I don't really care about that."
Australian Samantha Stosur, who beat Williams in the 2011 final, is seeded 12th this year.
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