US Open opens quietly today for the women

The US Open tennis tournament begins today, and it is wide open on the women's side. In fact, it might be said to be too much so for the comfort level of most Americans: are we ready to accept a nondescript champion? (Marion Bartoli is . . . descriptive.)

No pressure Venus and Serena. (There can be no Williams sisters final: Serena is in the first quarter of the bracket, Venus in the second. If they meet, it must be in the semis.)

Women's singles draw

women's doubles draw