Ivanovic takes top ranking into U.S. Open

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Ana Ivanovic, who won the French Open and was second at the Australian Open, likely has several Russian hurdles in her quest for another major title this year.

Ivanovic, from Serbia, recently returned to the top spot in the world women's tennis rankings. She'll open the U.S. Open next week against Russia's Vera Dushevina, ranked 61st in the world.

She also has potential meetings against seventh-ranked Dinara Safina -- yet another Russian -- in the quarterfinals. Americans -- either fourth-seeded Venus Williams or seventh-seeded Serena Williams -- could meet Ivanovic in the semifinals. The Williams sisters, who met for the Wimbledon title, could play each other in the quarterfinals.

Jelena Jankovic, a countrywoman of Ivanovic's who was briefly No. 1 this month, opens her U.S. Open against Coco Vandeweghe. Third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and fifth-seeded Elena Dementieva -- two more highly-ranked Russians -- are in Jankovic's half of the draw.

Last year's U.S. Open women's champion, Justin Henin, retired last May and isn't back to defend the title.