Data

Where: The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

When: The tournament begins tomorrow and runs through Sept. 9.

TV: USA & KDKA.

Finals: The women's singles final is 8 p.m. Sept. 8. ... The men's singles final is 4 p.m. Sept. 9.

Defending champions: Roger Federer, men, and Maria Sharapova, women.

Notes: Roger Federer has played in nine consecutive major finals. ... Rafael Nadal is 8-4 at the Open, worst of any major. ... Federer and Nadal can become the first men to contest three Slam finals in a row since Fred Stolle and Ken Rosewall (1964-65).

Of note

Roger Federer bids for his 12th Grand Slam title -- which would tie him for second all-time -- and his fourth consecutive U.S. Open title. Bill Tilden was the last man to win five in a row.

The top seeds

1. Roger Federer: Record 187 weeks at No. 1.

2. Rafael Nadal: Most wins (59), titles (6) in '07.

3. Novak Djokovic: At 21, the rising star?

4. N. Davydenko: No. 4 seed only gets 65-1 odds?

5. Andy Roddick: Last American to win a major.

1. Justine Henin: Reached final 5 of her past 6 majors.

2. Maria Sharapova: Coming off leg injury.

3. Jelena Jankovic: Has 28 hard-court wins this year.

4. S. Kuznetsova: Has not made it past 4th round here.

5. Ana Ivanovic: Semifinalist or better in 2 of 3 majors.