Who will win at Flushing Meadows?

It's phenomenally difficult to predict the men's and women's champions at this year's US Open, but it got a bit easier following the early exits of Gustavo Kuerton, Patrick Rafter and Andre Agassi. Who do you think will come out on top in the battle for supremacy?

Gustavo Kuerton was heavily supported as was the two-time winner Patrick Rafter, who was one of only three men to have won the title over the last seven years.

Andre Agassi is another man who lifted the title twice but he has also fallen by the wayside. Can anyone now prevent Pete Sampras from lifting his fourth US Open title?

Even Britain's Tim Henman could break the stranglehold this year. After making the perfect start, Henman saw off a first-round challenge from Spain's Fernando Vicente, do you think Britain's number one can go all the way?

Serena Williams became ladies' champion last year in only her second US Open, while her sister Venus has been in awesome form since winning Wimbledon.

Is the women's championship between them or should we look toward the world's top two ranked players Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport?

Which man and woman will lift the US Open trophies?

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Martina Hingis is the number one seed in the US Open and she has to prove her standing by winning this event. I strongly doubt this will happen after her Grand Slam drought and I fancy seeing Venus Williams play Lindsay Davenport in the final.
Parick M. Wijndal, The Netherland

I would bet on Venus. Serena will play her tough in the final but lose. Hingis and Davenport will go down in very tough matches. Kirk, USA

I have a feeling about Phillipousis. I think this is his time and I think he is driven enough to take it. As for the women, although I would love to see Lindsay Davenport end her recent spout of bad luck and injury by taking the title, I have to resign myself to the fact that it will probably be an all Williams final with Venus coming out on top.
Rachel, England

Alex Corretja and Conchita Martinez could shock the world to win the US Open if they have the determination and confidence, and with a bit of luck.
Derek, South Africa

please, someone tell me that someone OTHER than Pete Sampras is going to win.

  Babs, USA

I think this is Venus Williams' tournament. I think Venus will play Davenport in the finals for a repeat of the Wimbledon final. It should be a better match this time. As for the men, please, someone tell me that someone OTHER than Pete Sampras is going to win.
Babs, USA

Martina Hingis will not win. While she is capable of beating both Williams and Davenport, she seems incapable of beating two of them in the same tournament. The men's tournament was always wide open, even more so with Agassi's defeat.
Ian, London

I believe Sampras will claim the victory. He has the single-minded drive to win Opens. Only his body, a significant problem of late, can keep him from the crown.
Ray Papenfuss, USA

If she remains healthy, Serena's performance in the Du Maurier finals tells me that she will win the US Open women's single, whether she plays her sister or someone else. She basically neutralized Hingis 6-0 in the first set and was leading 1-0 in the second when her foot started hurting, which allowed Hingis to come back and win by default.
Percy Ayoziem, USA

Everything's set for an all-American final between Agassi and Sampras

  Kuldeep Singh, India

It's got to be Sampras for the men's title...but it's more open than it has been for a few years in the women's, especially after the war of words between Hingis and the Williams sisters.
Daniel Wright, England

I foresee a situation where the Williams sisters will meet in the final.
Elvis, France

I think Pete Sampras is a hot favourite to win the US Open. Andre Agassi is a great fighter and Lleyton Hewitt is also capable of upsetting the odds, but for me Pete remains the most likely winner of the tournament.
Durga Pandey, Australia

Following the exits of Kuerton and Rafter everything's set for an all-American final between Agassi and Sampras. Although he's not completely fit Pistol Pete will win - remember Wimbledon.
Kuldeep Singh, India

Don't write off Tim Henman!

  Angie, England

The Williams rely on power, which isn't all that the game is about. The game is about speed, skill, flexibility and talent and Hingis has it all. With an over-reliance on power it is easy to conclude that Serena and Venus will not develop Martina's court sense. Hingis is ready to set the record straight after her 199 US Open Williams whammy and she will show them what the game is about.
Kafui K. Agbesi, United States

Don't write off Tim Henman! In the last month he has beaten some of the world's best. At the moment he is playing the best tennis of his career and it's about time he won a major. I have a strong feeling that he will finally do it at Flushing Meadow. I'm backing Henman all the way!
Angie, England

Pete Sampras will win, especially if he's not injured, without a doubt. Playing at his best, or even near his best, no one else in the world even comes close to him. If he stays injury-free, he could just keep going for years. His style is just so perfect and yet at the same time so unique that no one will ever manage to emulate him. And Martina Hingis should take the women's title.
James Lillistone, UK

I see a reprise of Wimbledon 2000. Pistol Pete is the class act. He is the one they all have to beat. If he makes it to the semi-finals without any serious injuries he'd be unstoppable. It's even money for an all Williams final. Venus, whose confidence has now peaked, should again have the better of her kid sister in what should be a memorable no-holds-barred three-setter final. Both girls are hungry for success and, barring injuries, are capable of pulverising the current opposition. They should be good and resourceful enough to take the ladies' doubles too.
Dele Kale, Switzerland

I see a reprise of Wimbledon 2000. Pistol Pete is the class act

  Dele Kale, Switzerland

Venus Williams has got to lose soon and I think her winning streak will end at Flushing Meadows. I think Serena Williams will have the determination to hold on to her title though she will face strong opposition from people like Davenport and Hingis. As for the men I think Tim Henman will do very well but whether he can go all the way I don't know. I think Magnus Norman will get the final and I think Mark Philippoussis will have a good chance!! All I want though is for Tim to be there on the last day!! GO TIM!!!
Kelda, Wales

The men's singles is wide open but I'm going to go with Guga. He's been playing really well this year and he has now shown that he can get the job done on hard courts as well as clay. On the women's side you really have to give it to one of the Williams sisters. My bet is with Serena since she seems to have the more stable game. The only chance of it not being a Williams is if Davenport can have a good run of form.
Dave Williams, USA

Venus Williams is my choice for the title. I just hope Serena can handle the loss of her title.
Kay, England

Seles is going to make it ten Grand Slams when she wins the US Open this year.
M.O.Rhun, Wales

Mark Philippoussis lost to Pat Rafter in the 1998 final but when it's his day, he is indestructible. I expect him to progress in New York despite a tough draw. He is not solely a player with power, he has great passing shots and executes them with finesse. So watch out for the Scud.
Laura Jane, UK

I don't think anyone can stop Venus Williams given her current form

  Ian Stevens, UK

I hope Martina Hingis wins the Open this year although she seems fall short whenever she faces Serena Williams or Lisa Davenport. I believe she will win and answer her critics who are saying she will not win another Major because she cannot handle her rivals' power game.
Niall Corrigan, Northern Ireland

I am a big fan of Pat Rafter and, of course, I want him to win. But I am worried about his injured shoulder. If he can get through the third round, he will be a threat.
Alice Ruhweza, Uganda

Agassi will win the singles in New York, and as for Henman, he has no chance. Two weeks of good results don't mean he has a realistic chance. For the women it's a battle between the Williams sisters.
Claudette, Birmingham UK

I don't think anyone can stop Venus Williams given her current form. Unless her sister has a really good day - Serena's the only woman on the tour not scared of Venus. It would be nice if Monica Seles could win another Grand Slam and I don't think anyone would begrudge her another title after going through so much.
Ian Stevens, UK

Hingis, Davenport and the Williams' sisters are such good players among the women that it is hard to predict who will hold the crown at the US Open this year.
Milton K. Wiah, Holland

Venus and Serena Williams will meet in the final and Venus will narrowly defeat her sister to win her second Grand Slam

  Charles Williams, Canada

I think both Venus and Serena Williams will be knocked out before the final which will be between Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport. Hingis to win in three close sets.
Sim Kyazze, Uganda

Pete Sampras all the way. After winning his record 13th Grand Slam at Wimbledon he'll have the motivation to go on and win some more.
Saad Khan, Pakistan

Sampras and Agassi will always be the top contenders but everyone would prefer to see an underdog win. My choice this year is Guga ... Gustavo Kuerton.
Khurram Jahangir, USA

Flushing Meadows will witness Anna Kournikova's first major title. She has been written off by the press as a blonde starlet more interested in her off court activities but her time is now.
D. Ampcrotch , Cambodia

Venus and Serena Williams will meet in the final and Venus will narrowly defeat her sister to win her second Grand Slam. The match between Serena and Hingis at the recent Du Maurier Open in Montreal has finally convinced me that, when Serena is in her top form, Hingis doesn't stand a chance. This year will be the last year that Hingis wears the number one crown, mark my word.
Charles Williams, Canada

I think that Guga (Gustavo Kuerten) has a good chance this year.

Gustavo Kuerten has had a fantastic season and his win in Indianapolis should give him the confidence to do well at Flushing Meadows

  Daniel Lloyd, Wales

His form on the American hard courts has been excellent, with his first tournament win. I always think that the New York crowd will fall in love with such an enigmatic and courageous player. That could make all the difference.
Samantha Robinson, London, UK

Gustavo Kuerten has had a fantastic season and his win in Indianapolis should give him the confidence to do well at Flushing Meadows. Guga has Pat Rafter and Mark Phillippoussis in his half of the draw, but they are both hot and cold players. Other favourites in my mind are Marat Safin and Alex Correjta, who have both won on hard court this season. Discount the Brits, because Henman does not have a backhand and Rusedski is in terrible form.
Daniel Lloyd, Wales

I think that Patrick Rafter can succeed at Flushing Meadows once again. His form has been low since Wimbledon, but he loves the US Open and will do everything in his power to win it. The hard court is also his favourite surface and maybe the break he had from playing will be to his benefit and not his downfall.
Gwun Tsang, England

I think Serena will win again. She is starting to cut down on the errors and her serve is getting into shape.
L.J.Henry, USA

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