Petra Kvitova

Kvitova: Wimbledon champion

Kvitova, who turned 21 in March, announced herself on the big stage with Grand Slam glory at Wimbledon in June.

The Czech left-hander has powered up the rankings to world number seven as a result of her breakthrough success, however injury has hampered her preparations for Flushing Meadows.

She did not compete at all in July due to a problem with her right adductor and was eliminated from the Rogers Cup in the third round of her comeback.

But her run at SW19 shows she is capable of beating anyone on her day.

Kvitova, who also won the Madrid Open this year, is an awkward opponent, her sliced lefty serve and willingness to attack the net means opponents find themselves under constant pressure.

Her best performance at the US Open was a run to the last 16 in 2009, however she will be keen to improve on that this time out.