Get Ready For The Open, The Seeds Are In

Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic, both ranked world number one, have been named as the top seeds for the US Open which begins at Flushing Meadows on Monday. It is the first time that Spaniard Nadal, who replaced Roger Federer at the top of the men's rankings on Monday, has been the top seed at a grand-slam tournament even though Nadal could have always been the better player.

Federer, who has won the US Open in each of the past four years, is seeded second, the first time he has not been the top seed in a grand slam since the Australian Open of 2004.Novak Djokovic, champion of the Australian Open and runner-up to Federer last year, and David Ferrer four. Roddick was seeded eighth and James Blake, who beat Federer at Beijing, was ninth.

On the womens side Jelena Jankovic at number two. Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia is seeded three, ahead of Serena Williams. Olympic champion Elena Dementieva is seeded fifth, with French Open and Olympic Games runner-up Dinara Safina sixth and Wimbledon champion Venus Williams at seven. The last two U.S. Open women's champions are out of the upcoming tournament -Justine Henin retired and Maria Sharapova is injured.