{blackbabes} Serena seeded No. 1 for U.S. Open, Genie No. 7

Fuse (Deluxe Version) - Keith Urban / Blown Away - Carrie Underwood

NEW YORK — Top-ranked Serena Williams is seeded No. 1 as she seeks her third straight U.S. Open title.

The U.S. Tennis Association followed this week’s WTA rankings in announcing the seedings Wednesday.

French Open runner-up Simona Halep is seeded second after reaching a career-best ranking this month. She has never advanced past the fourth round at the U.S. Open.

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is seeded No. 3 with third-ranked Li Na out because of a knee injury. Agnieszka Radwanska moves up to No. 4.

Five-time major champ Maria Sharapova is seeded fifth, meaning there’s a chance she could face Williams in the quarterfinals. The runner-up the last two years, Victoria Azarenka, is seeded 16th after an injury-plagued season.

Venus Williams is seeded 19th.

Canadian Eugenie Bouchard is the seventh seed.

The draw is Thursday, and the tournament starts Monday.

Crash My Party - Luke Bryan / Night Train - Jason Aldean