Serena Williams seeded No. 1 at US Open; Halep 2nd
By Associated Press
Aug 20, 2014 10:53 AM CDT
Serena Williams clenches her fist after breaking Ana Ivanovic, from Serbia, in the second set of a final match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, in Mason, Ohio. Williams won 6-4, 6-1. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)   (Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) — 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 champ 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.

The draw is Thursday, and the tournament starts Monday.