Whenever a Grand Slam draws near, there is always talk about which players constitute the favorites and the story lines they are apt to generate.  To that extent, the upcoming US Open is no exception to this trend.  But the last major of 2015 has a distinct level of excitement about it that has not been felt in nearly 30 years, and that is thanks to Serena Williams.  Ever since the American secured her sixth Wimbledon crown last month, there has been rampant speculation as to whether or not she can put together a similar title run in New York to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win the calendar-year Grand Slam.

For Williams and her fans, there is ample reason to feel optimistic about her chances of achieving such a rare and historic feat.  For starters, the list of legitimate heavy favorites to win the women's title at the 2015 US Open begins and ends with the current No. 1.  She has been extremely dominant this year, dropping just two matches.  With 21 singles majors under her belt, Serena has also more than proven that she is capable of getting the job done on the biggest stages in the sport.  Coupled with that, there are precious few other women in the field who, like Williams, have shown that they have what it takes to garner a Grand Slam title.  Furthermore, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka – the two women most frequently considered to be heavy favorites at the majors in conjunction with Williams – come to New York battling injuries and surrounded by question marks.  As a result, Williams stands alone as the player who looks most likely to be the last woman standing in Flushing Meadows.

Williams undoubtedly presents a daunting foe to the rest of the opposition, but that does not mean she is a sure bet to win the US Open.  She has experienced a number of close calls this season, with many of them coming in the majors.  Like the champion she is, Williams has so far been able to dig her way out of trouble, but with the pressure of so much riding on the line, clawing her way out of any holes could prove considerably more difficult in New York.  In fact, although Serena did reach the semifinals in Toronto and won the title in Cincinnati, there were already signs of tension in her game at those events.  If she falters under the enormous weight of expectations, there is a handful of women who could make her pay and take advantage of the situation.

One woman who could go all the way to become a first-time US Open Champion is Azarenka.  Much will depend on the Belarusian's fitness as she continues to cope with a niggling leg injury, but if she can effectively manage that, she has a decent look at the title.  Hard courts are her best surface, and she reached back-to-back finals here in 2012-13.  Azarenka is a former Grand Slam champion as well, and she has pushed Williams to a third set more than once this year. 

Simona Halep is another woman who could break through to claim her maiden major title.  She is ranked No. 2, reached the 2014 Roland Garros final, and has been exceptional on the hard courts in 2015.  Halep won the Premier Mandatory event at Indian Wells this past March, and after reaching the finals of both Toronto and Cincinnati, she could be poised for a spectacular showing at the US Open. 

Young guns Madison Keys and Belinda Bencic are also worth a look.  Keys is a powerful ball-striker who is more than capable of building on her semifinal appearance in Melbourne from earlier this year, while Bencic has continued to improve her results, stunning everyone when she defeated Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Williams, and Halep on her road to claiming victory in Toronto. 

There is no way to predict with certainty who will hoist the trophy at this year's US Open, and there will be plenty of tennis to be played in the coming fortnight.  More than one woman will have her chance to reign supreme as champion.  The odds definitely favor Williams to be that woman.  She is the complete package, and as has been the case in so many tournaments that she has entered, this is mostly hers to win.  But it will be no walk in the park.  Anything less than her best could spell doom for her Grand Slam quest, and naturally there is not a soul in the field who would not relish upsetting Williams' bid for history.