Maria Sharapova - Absent

Aside from Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova has been the most successful player on the WTA Tour thus far this year.

Sharapova began the year in fine form, thrashing her way through to victory in a tough Australian Open field; even taking down Justine Henin in straight sets. This was Maria's third Grand Slam Title. From there she went on to win titles in Doha and just recently, Amelia Island. During that time she also won tournaments back-to-back, and claimed her first clay-court title.

Since her emergence she has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with on grass and hard courts. She has little to prove as far as the US Open is concerned, having won here in 2006 beating Justine Henin in the final