Here's a look at the WTA draw for the upcoming US Open, along with some predictions as to who will come through the draw and take the title. The year's  final major begins on Monday, with Serena Williams the defending champion.

First quarter

Defending champion and world number one Serena Williams heads up the draw. Serena's been having a bit of an odd year - she hasn't made the quarterfinals of any major tournaments so far this year, and is down to No.3 in the Road to Singapore. She has young American wildcard Taylor Townsend first up - while Serena is likely to be too strong for her next week, Townsend is certainly one to look for the future. Serena should cruise through her opening three rounds, before a possible tie with 2009 champion Sam Stosur in round four, who the American has already beaten twice this summer without the loss of a set. Carla Suarez Navarro is the other high seed in this section, but is more at home on a clay court than on hard.

Also here: Young prospects Coco Vandeweghe and Donna Vekic, who play each other in the first round

Ana Ivanovic is the other top seed in this quarter, and will be hoping for a repeat of her win over Serena in Melbourne this year. She begins against Alison Riske, and looks to have a fairly clear route to the fourth round, where she could play Indian Wells champion Flavia Pennetta. Pennetta's results have been poor since her title in California, and shouldn't pose too much of a problem for the in-form Ivanovic, if the Italian even reaches that stage. An Ivanovic-Serena quarterfinal looks likely, a repeat of Ivanovic's upset does not.

Semifinalist: Serena

Second quarter

The ever unpredictable Petra Kvitova can be found here. She's been poor since her stunning performance in the Wimbledon final, and is perhaps as likely to lose her opening match against Kristina Mladenovic as she is to win the title. In round two she'd face either Klara Koukalova or Petra Cetkovska, before what could be an interesting third round match with Madison Keys. The other high seed in this section is Victoria Azarenka, whose terrible struggles with injury this season suggest a more likely fourth round opponent for Kvitova would be 2004 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who is certainly capable of upset victories if she's on form.

The other side of this quarter features Eugenie Bouchard as its top seed, who's drawn against Olga Govortsova. The Canadian is the only player to reach all three major semifinals so far this year, but hasn't had a good summer since reaching the Wimbledon final, and will be looking to turn things around here. Possible second round opponents Heather Watson and Sorana Cirstea are both capable of upsetting Bouchard if she's off form but other than that her path to the last 16 looks fairly clear. There she could face Dominika Cibulkova or Ekaterina Makarova for a place in the quarterfinals.

Semifinalist: Bouchard

Third quarter

This is Radwanska's quarter, and she's been given a first round match against Sharon Fichman. She's got a pretty kind draw, her first big test probably coming against either Alize Cornet - who beat Serena at Wimbledon - or Lucie Safarova in the fourth round. Veteran Russian Daniela Hantuchova is also in this section - a quarterfinalist last year, she could be a dangerous dark horse despite a disappointing year so far.

German sixth seed Angelique Kerber's in this quarter too, and she opens against Ksenia Pervak. Kerber's been having a good summer, and will be looking to continue her good form here. Her first test looks as though it will come in the fourth round, where Jelena Jankovic could be waiting, in what looks to be the pick of the potential last 16 matches. Sloane Stephens is a possible third round opponent for Jankovic - Stephens is an excellent player when she plays well, but is also prone to flat defeats, and seems unlikely to go far this fortnight.

Semifinalist: Jankovic

Fourth quarter

Simona Halep leads this section, and her first match will be against Danielle Rose Collins. Garbine Muguruza could be awaiting the Romanian in the third round - while Muguruza's a dangerous player, Halep's consistency should see her through that match comfortably. Halep's first major test could come in round four, where she could face Venus Williams. Venus isn't feared like she was a few years ago, but as she showed in Montreal, if she's feeling healthy, she is by no means to be underestimated.

Maria Sharapova's here too, and she has a potentially tricky opening match against Maria Kirilenko. Kirilenko's a former top ten player on the comeback trail after a lengthy injury layoff, and could make life tricky for Sharapova. Erratic but dangerous German Sabine Lisicki could be Sharapova' third round opponent, before a potential meeting with Caroline Wozniacki in the last 16. Wozniacki's been playing well recently, but Sharapova will pose perhaps too stern a test for the Dane

Semifinalist: Sharapova

Semifinals

Serena d. Bouchard - Serena was on top form in the Cincinnati final, and if she can recreate that form, or even get close to it, she'll be more than a match for Bouchard. The American is also vastly experienced on Arthur Ashe court - in the world's biggest tennis stadium, that could make a real difference against 20-year old Bouchard.

Sharapova d. Jankovic - Sharapova has an 8-1 record against the Serbian, and has been the most successful player this year, leading the Road to Singapore. Her iron will to win which has been so apparent this year, particularly during her run to the French Open title, should see her through this one.

Final

Serena d. Sharapova - it's now over ten years since Sharapova recorded a win over Serena, and she's only taken a single set off her since 2008. Serena will be playing in front of her home crowd, as if she needs any extra advantages over an opponent she's completely dominated, and it seems highly unlikely that the Russian will find a way to overcome the world number one. It's been a year since Serena's last major title (and in fact, her last major quarterfinal), but I expect Serena to claim her 18th major title at Flushing Meadows in two weeks time.

Other pre-US Open articles on VAVEL:

New York welcomes world's best for US Open (US Open preview)
The kids are alright: WTA US Open young guns preview
US Open ATP draw analysis

Stay tuned for more US Open coverage from VAVEL, including writer's picks for the title.