The Russian won her first grand slam title at Wimbledon eight years ago, before going on to win the USOpen in 2006 and then then Australian Open four years ago.
Of the overseas challengers, Australian Geoff Ogilvy has used his 2006USOpen victory as a springboard and is a realistic contender after reaching fourth in the world with two wins so far this year.
Woods has twice come into a major after a long lay-off, with mixed results - he missed the cut in the 2006USOpen at Winged Foot after his father died, and he won the 2008 USOpen at Torrey Pines while playing on a seriously injured left knee.
The world number two was roared on by an adoring crowd, mindful of his wife's illness and the fact that four of his USOpen misses have come in the New York area - at Winged Foot (2006), Shinnecock (2004) and Bethpage twice following his runner-up to Tiger Woods in 2002.