Qualifying rounds for the U.S. Open, the final Grand Slam event of the year, began on Tuesday in New York City. First round play will begin on Monday at 11 a.m. ET.
Six-time U.S. Open champion Serena Williams was given a seeding boost by officials after her maternity leave. Williams, ranked 26th, is the tournament's No. 17 seed, one spot below older sister Venus, a two-time U.S. Open winner. The rest of the women's and men's singles seeds follow WTA and ATP rankings.
Simona Halep of Romania took the women's No. 1 seed, with Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and American Sloane Stephens coming in at No.