Serena, Djokovic lead elite cast in US Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Serena Williams joins fellow no.1 Novak Djokovic on top of the US Open entry list announced on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).

Williams, who is eyeing to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam, will be challenged by former US Open champions No. 2 Maria Sharapova (2006), No. 3 Simona Halep and No. 4 Petra Kvitova, who won in 2011 and 2014.

Three-time defending champion Williams has a legitimate shot of becoming the first woman to win all four Grand Slams in the same year since Steffi Graf in 1988. 

Williams, who shares the Open Era record of US Open titles with Chris Evert at six, has yet to lose in these courts since 2011. She is hoping to extend her reign this year and join an elite cast of women who have won the Wimbledon, the Australian, French and US Opens in the same calendar year. 

If victorious, Williams will join Graf, Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Court (1970) in the elite cast of Grand Slam winners. 

On the other hand, Djokovic, the 2011 US Open champion, will also have stiff competition in former champions that include Miran Cilic (2014), Andy Murray (2012), Rafael Nadal (2010, 2013) and Roger Federer (2004-08).

Federer will be looking to avenge his Wimbledon Final loss to Djokovic as he seeks his sixth US Open title and hike his record 17 career Slam titles. 

The US Open begins Aug. 31 (Sept. 1 Manila time).

(Sources from Philstar.com and Philippinemavericks.com)