World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki breezed to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Vera Zvonareva in the final of the rain-hit Montreal Cup Monday, confirming her status as the red-hot favorite for the US Open. Wozniacki, runner-up to Kim Clijsters at last year's US Open, once again appears to be hitting her hardcourt stride at just the right moment collecting her third win of the season and second hardcourt title in three weeks. Following the victory, the 20-year-old Dane quickly packed her bags and headed off for her final US Open tune-up in New Haven where she is the top seed and defending champion. A razor-sharp Wozniacki began the day crushing Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-3 in their rain delayed semifinal held over from Saturday and then disposed of Wimbledon finalist Zvonareva in just 74 minutes. “After waiting around two days and unable to play I actually felt a little bit tired going out for my first match because mentally you have to be prepared all the time,” Wozniacki told reporters. “But I'm so happy, I won two matches today and it is a great feeling.” The players were back on center court just two hours after their semi-final matches and Zvonareva, who advanced when Victoria Azarenka retired with blisters while trailing 7-6 1-0, was quick out of the blocks with the early break. Wozniacki, who is likely to be awarded the No. 1 seed at Flushing Meadows after world No. 1 Serena Williams was ruled out of the grand slam with injury, can take over top spot in the rankings with a successful title defense in New Haven and a victory at the US Open. Nadal top seed at US Open Seeking to complete the career Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal will be the top-seeded man when the US Open starts next week, while Roger Federer will come to Flushing Meadows seeded second. The women's seedings have been delayed one day because of a rainout of Sunday's final at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. It appears, however, that Caroline Wozniacki will get the top seed because Serena Williams, the world's top-ranked player, has withdrawn while recovering from surgery to repair cuts on her right foot. Also missing will be defending men's champion Juan Martin del Potro, who remains sidelined because of a lingering wrist injury. Seeded third for the men is Novak Djokovic, followed by Andy Murray at No. 4. Petrova, Dementieva advance Nadia Petrova of Russia rallied to beat Varvara Lepchenko of the United States 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the opening round of the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament at New Haven. Petrova was a late addition to the field after an ankle injury forced Ana Ivanovic to withdraw. Elena Dementieva almost missed the start of her first-round match and had to be tracked down on the practice courts. She then went out and beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. Lucky loser Dominka Cibulkova upset Melanie Oudin 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. Cibulkova was a late replacement in the draw, after Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova withdrew Sunday with a hip injury. In the men's draw, Donald Young beat Stephane Robert 6-1, 6-2. James Blake plays later Monday, before the featured match between Dinara Safina and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
