By Richard Kent

NEW YORK — Is it possible that Venus Williams can win her third U.S. Open in 2017? Sure she can. The Open is scheduled to begin in Flushing, N.Y. next week and Williams is currently seeded ninth in the world.

A finalist in this year’s Wimbledon Championships, she’ll likely keep that same seeding heading into the Big Apple. The 37-year-old native of California has seven Grand Slam titles to her credit including back-to-back Open titles in 2000 and 2001.

She’s also won numerous doubles titles with her younger sister, Serena, who’s currently out of action due to maternity leave. With Serena’s absence, the women’s tour doesn’t currently boast a true superstar.

Many feel that as many as 10 ladies can possibly hoist the Open trophy on September 9th, at that includes Venus. There’s not a current player in the proposed draw against whom she’s not fared well against, or who’s dominated the game this year.

Venus last played in the Western & Southern event in Cincinnati. After decisively defeating fellow American Allison Riske (6-2, 6-0), Venus would fall to qualifier Ashleigh Barty (6-3, 2-6, 6-2) in the third round.

There’s nothing which Venus would rather do than win another Open. But a victory in New York wouldn’t compare to what she says is the highlight of her career — an Olympic gold medal singles crown in the 2012 London Games.

Venus has been the game’s No. 1 player on three separate occasions. Her brilliant career in both singles and doubles has been hindered by injury and most recently, her bout with Sjogren’s Disease.

Fueled by her run at Wimbledon, Venus has fought those obstacles tenaciously and currently enters the Open in good shape physically for the first time in years. You can count on her to make a strong run in Flushing.