World No 1 Dinara Safina tries to show she deserves her ranking by taking her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, but second-ranked defending champion Serena Williams also eyes the top spot.

The year's final Grand Slam begins on Monday with Williams having already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, giving the 27-year-old American three of the past four majors and 11 career Slam titles.