[Martina] Hingis, the tournament's defending champion, has won 65 matches this year and seven titles, including the Australian Open, more than any other player in women's tennis.

Right behind her is Lindsay Davenport, who won Wimbledon in July and was briefly the world's No. 1-ranked player earlier this season before Hingis reclaimed the top spot.

The respect was earned on the court. Hingis has a 2-3 record against Venus Williams in 1999 and is 1-3 against Serena [Williams], at 18 the youngest of the top four. Davenport has lost her last four matches against the sisters, twice to each.