When three time champion Serena Williams joined two time winner Justine Henin into the sidelines before the start of the year's last Grand Slam in New York, she changed the existing set of equations leading to the fortnight at the Big Apple.

However, a lot changed since the withdrawal of these two multiple slam champions. The U.S. Open series events brought a lot of surprises and a new set of winners, all set to repeat their recent successes at the Grand Stage of Flushing Meadows.

Leading the field is most definitely the defending champion Kim Clijsters, who claimed the third title of the year in Cincinnati to become a tour leader for 2010 season. Clijsters' dream comeback last year with the title triumph was perfectly followed up with a win in Brisbane, and later in Miami, where she humbled arch rival Venus Williams to lift the trophy. Clijsters biggest challenge though came in the name of seasoned compatriots Nadia Petrova and Vera Zvonareva, who beat her in Melbourne and Wimbledon respectively.

Next in line for the title run is NOT Venus Williams but the top seed and last year's finalist Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane duly justified her last year's run with some impressive results. After a runner up finish in the year's first cornerstone event in Indian Wells, Wozniacki defended the title in Ponte Vedra Beach and finished Wimbledon and French Open with second week appearances. She finally hit the bull's eye in Montreal where she claimed her biggest title after registering convincing wins over top Russians including Zvonareva and Kuznetsova.

Despite an injury-hampered U.S. Open lead-up month, Venus Williams features in the list of contenders. A two time winner here, Venus Williams is eying her eighth Grand Slam title and can very well claim the victory if things fall into place for her. She is most definitely one of the most unpredictable players in the women's circuit, who is capable of pulling wins against any player, and at the same time, is an underdog in front of the most low-profiled players in the draw. Williams' backyard, Wimbledon witnessed her disappointing exit from the Championships to little known Tsvetana Pironkova. Infact, this is by far the most unsuccessful season in the American's career. With only two titles (Dubai and Acapulco) under her belt, Williams failed to register win over any of the top players this season, suffering defeats to former number ones like Kim Clijsters and Jelena Jankovic rather handily. This is perhaps a factor that might go against her and the people betting on her victory in New York.

Francesca Schiavone, the current French Open champion is enjoying her best season on tour after being a professional for more than a decade. Just when critics decided to keep Schiavone aside of the contenders list for the U.S. Open, the Italian pulled a win over former No.1 Dinara Safina to give a clear indication that she is more than capable of repeating her Roland Garros success at the Big Apple.

Her compatriot Flavia Pennetta too, has an outside chance of going further at the Open. Pennetta claimed the only title of the season in Marbella and struggled with bad form throughout the European summer before regaining it in the U.S. Open series events. After a Quarterfinal and a Semifinal finish in Cincinnati and San Diego respectively, the Italian star has emerged as a possible Giant-killer in the draw. So far, confidence has been a key to the Italian's success can continue to garner her positive results ahead in the season too.

There are few more players who are awaiting a hopeful title triumph by the virtue of their success this season. Kuznetsova, the 2004 champion tops one such list after performing impressively at the U.S. Open tune-up events. In the San Diego Final, Kuznetsova led her opponent, Agnieszka Radwanska 5-2 in the second set, and despite holding several match points, let the Pole bounce back into the match. Although, she managed to win the match, her fragile temperament and brittle nerves came to the fore. For a long time, Kuznetsova became a FAVOURITE..., here is the twist, TARGET for critics for not being able to pull wins in matches where she held formidable leads. If the Russian star wants to go all the way in New York, she needs to prove her critics wrong by getting the better of her nerves.

Russian Elena Dementieva, who started the year in style by claiming titles in Sydney and Paris (Open GDF Suez), lost focus during the European claycourt season, and after retiring from the semifinal at the French Open, withdrew from a series of events. Now a veteran, Dementieva's chances are in a way, slimmer but not non-existent. If she is able to put together her best game, she can take out some of the big names successfully to change equations in the draw.

And finally, one of the most delightful performers of the 2010 season, Samantha Stosur, who, despite faltering in the biggest match of her career (the French Open final), maintained the status of a Giant-killer. Stosur registered victories over some of the biggest names this season and claimed a title in Charleston. Her best hardcourt performance post Roland Garros was her semifinal finish in Stanford. However, an arm injury cut short the rest of the tune-up events runs for her. Stosur may not be a front runner in the title race, but during the fortnight, can acquire that status. The mighty Australian sure knows how to beat the best in the business, and if things fall into place, she can lead the charge.

Almost everyone in the fraternity is talking about just one thing - the OPEN-ness of the draw. What seems to be going unnoticed is the fact that none of the players appearing at Flushing Meadows have dominated even a part of the season. With Clijsters being the only one enjoying patchy success during various months, the unpredictability of the draw is what makes this U.S. Open truly 'up-for-grabs'...!