A couple of months ago Venus was in top form ( a dark horse to win the US open ), now's she tailed off a little, but she's still the clear favourite on current form.
Venus' condition - Sjögren's syndrome - is such that, although she's able to manage it much better now, it can still affect her very suddenly at any point, on any given day, with painful and distressing symptoms.
It's still a bad draw for Heather.
Her doubles luck is similarly awful, as with Alison Riske, they've drawn just about the hottest pair in the WTA right now - Wuhan finalists, Hingis & Pennetta!