US Open: Serena Williams heads women's field

World No 1 Serena Williams, coming off a surprise third round loss at Wimbledon, heads the women’s field for the US Open, which starts in New York in late August.

Players from 36 countries are represented, the US Tennis Association announced on Wednesday, with two-time defending champion Williams heading an 11-strong American contingent for the August 25-September 8 event.

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Williams has five US Open crowns, just one shy of the modern era record held by compatriot Chris Evert.

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Joining Williams in the top four are Li Na of China, Simona Halep of Romania and this month’s Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.

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The field also includes French Open champion Maria Sharapova, two-time US Open champion Venus Williams and former US Open champions Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The latest WTA rankings were used to determine the main draw entry list for the final Grand Slam event of 2014 but seeds will be announced closer to the event.