Open contenders preparing to pounce

NEW YORK - Serena Williams is about to have a baby, Victoria Azarenka will stay home with hers and the US Open women's field is pregnant with suspense over who might win.

The array of contenders for the world No 1 ranking and the last Grand Slam title of the year promises to make the Flushing Meadows tournament, which starts on Monday, a thriller even without two of the game's top stars.

Williams, who won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, announced in April she was pregnant and would miss the rest of the year.