Wozniacki, Nadal seeded No. 1 for US Open

New York :

Serena Williams' loss is Caroline Wozniacki's gain as the Danish tennis star was named Monday the top women's seed for the US Open which begins on Monday.

Wozniacki was the runner-up at Flushing Meadows last year and is the first woman since 2003 to be seeded No. 1 at the US Open without already having won a major championship. Wozniacki is the second top ranked player in the world behind Williams who pulled out of the event with an injury.

Spain's Rafael Nadal is the top men's seed, followed by Swiss star Roger Federer at No. 2.

The 2009 men's champion, Juan Martin del Potro, pulled out Saturday because of an injured wrist that he required surgery three months ago.

This is the first time Wozniacki has been seeded seeded No. 1 at a grand slam tournament.

Defending champion Kim Clijsters was seeded No. 2. Venus Williams, the 2000-01 US Open champion, is No. 3, followed by 2008 runner-up Jelena Jankovic and Sam Stosur.

Venus said Tuesday she was "ready for the Open." She added that she has "had a tough summer, with some bad luck with my leg."

Two other past US Open champions who were seeded are No. 11 Svetlana Kuznetsova and No. 14 Maria Sharapova.

Venus' sister, Serena, pulled out last week, saying she still is recovering from surgery to repair cuts on her foot.

The draw for the US Open is Thursday.