US Open Men’s Preview
Once the world saw Roger Federer’s name on as the #1 ranked
player in the world, everything in the tennis world seemed to fall back in
place. Once we saw Rafa Nadal out
indefinitely with yet another knee injury, the tennis world was once again
thrown upside down. This US Open
promises to be one that could see a change in the consistency in the major
scene. Since 2004 there have only been
three major champions Federer, Nadal,
Djokovic and one surprise in Del
Potro (2009 US Open). This year we have
seen the same with Djokovic taking the Aussie, Nadal the French, & Federer
Wimbledon. Andy Murray made a splash
taking the Gold at The All England Club making it four different champions in 3
majors and an “honorary” major. Will we
have Federer or Djokovic take the Open or will a new face emerge?! Let’s take a look at the favorites along with
a couple of dark horses…
Roger Federer
Roger has has an amazing year winning six titles, amongst
them his 7th Wimbledon crown.
He has reclaimed his #1 ranking, recently won, yet, another Masters in
Cincinnati, has beat Djokovic the last two times they have played, and is
hitting as well as any point in his career.
Who said 30 was old in tennis years?!
Roger will be looking to add 6th US Open title and 18th
major overall. His path to the crown can
be tricky and sticky starting in the Quarterfinals. Let’s examine…
Round 1
Donald young is coming off a 17 match losing streak…need I
say more?
Round 3
Fernando Verdasco hasn’t been the same in years and the
magic he pulled off in Madrid beating Nadal won’t be enough in the fast hard
courts here. Expect Federer to move
through this match, like the courts, QUICK!
Round 4
I would expect Mardy moving through to the fourth round as
he has been playing relatively well this summer, especially after his health
scare. Roger just faced Mardy at
Cincinnati and won rather handedly.
Expect the same here with the American fans pushing Mardy for more
tennis, but happy when Federer wins.
Quarterfinals
It could be two big servers in Tomas Berdych or Sam Querry. Querry will be a surprise quarterfinalist,
but with the fast court and American support it could happen. If it does, expect him to surrender rather
quickly to the “Maestro”, Federer. If
Tomas Berdych comes out of his quarter, expect a much tougher match. Even though Berdych has had a difficult year,
he has taken Federer out in the Quarters before on a fast court (2010
Wimbledon). This is a match up that
doesn’t favor Roger completely. I expect
Roger in 4 sets, but they all will be tightly contested.
Novak Djokovic
Some would argue that Novak has had a “slip” year this year,
but it is close to impossible to repeat what he did last year. He has, after all, lost his Wimbledon crown
and #1 ranking. Yet, he has won three titles including a major. Most would call that a career year; amazing
what a year of success and new expectations can do. When Djokovic saw Murray’s name drawn on
Federer’s side, he must have been relieved as his road to the title is now much
easier. He has a potential match against
Del Potro in the quarters. The
semifinals could produce a challenge against Ferrer, but, with all respect to
David, he is no Murray. Expect Djokovic
to routinely the quarters and most likely to the finals.
Round 4
Stan Wawrinka is playing some inspired tennis. He played some of his best tennis in a couple
of years at Cincinnati’s master tournament and will be looking to replicate his
performance in New York. If he is able
to do so, expect an entertaining match that could go four or five sets, but the
better player will win at the end in Djokovic.
Nokav will need a B- performance and Stan an A++ for the upset to occur.
Quarterfinals
Now this match is an interesting one. Juan Martin Del Potro has just been cleared
to play by his doctor as his left wrist caused him some issues in
Cincinnati. During his semifinal play
against Djokovic it was apparent that he was affected by discomfort. If the wrist is able to hold up Del Potro is
more than capable to take out Novak, but it HAS to be healthy. If this is not the case, Djokovic could have
a pretty routine route to the semifinals.
I would call this a toss-up depending on one left-Argentinean wrist.
Semis
David Ferrer should be waiting for Novak in the
semifinals. Ferrer can be the surprise
of the tournament with a relatively easy quarter. He could be fresh and in rhythm to face
Djokovic. With his relentless play, he
could very much surprise Novak and reach his first major final. Don’t expect it, but , in the absence of
Rafa, I know those Spaniards are dreaming of it.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray has had arguably the best year of his
career. He made it to the semis of the
Aussie Open losing to the eventual champion Djokovic in a marathon match and just
won the gold medal at the hollow grounds of Wimbledon becoming the first man to
do so since Josiah Ritchie in 1908. He
has many people calling him the favorite at this year’s Open, one of these
people being Goran Ivanisevic. His road
to the finals is definitely the toughest one of the top three players.
Round 1
Alex Bogomolov Jr. might be the most disliked player in the
draw as he decided to switch his alliance of American tennis to play for Russia
and their Davis Cup team. This decision
was not well received in The States and it has shown in his play. After a great year last year, Alex has really
struggled this year to put wins together.
Expect Murray to roll over the patriot, oops Russian patriotic,
Bogomolov, and move into the 2nd round.
Round 3
Feliciano Lopez could possibly be waiting for Andy in the 3rd
round. Murray has a 8-0 head-to-head
record against him. Only reason I am
mentioning this is because Judy Murray will be beside herself watching
“Deliciano” Lopez play J
Round 4
Now here comes THE dark horse of the tournament, Milos
Raonic! The “Missile” has been playing
some great tennis and has been picked by many to make a run at this year’s
Open. Murray will have to use his
tremendous return game to stay with Raonic.
If he returns well, he should win this match, but if there is a slip up
in the return game that particular day then expect the young Canadian to move
through. This will definitely be one of
the matches to keep your eyes on at the Open.
Quarterfinals
Jo-Wilfried Tsoga should be waiting for the winner of Raonic-Murray
in the Quarters; let’s pick Murray.
Tsonga has the game of the best players in the world, but just can’t be
consistent through all seven matches of a major. He was within 1/8 of an inch at the French of
beating Djokovic and making the semifinals.
He has made it to the Finals at the Aussie. He has reached the semis at Wimbledon (twice)
beating the great Federer, but has yet to close the tournament as the major
winner. Expect an unbelievable match,
maybe the best of the tournament as Tsonga often provides, but Murray to be the
one standing at the end.
The field
The field hasn’t really been a factor in years, but with the
absence of Rafa Nadal, it is a topic of hot discussion. Let’s have some fun with the field and
describe their chances in one sentence!
Milos Raonic
If you can serve 155mph you will always be a contender…
John Isner
John has taken Nadal to 5 at Roland Garros and lost in 3 at
_____ so who knows what we will get…
David Ferrer
Hard work has to pay sometime right?!?!
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Seems to be the bridesmaid but never the bride!
Tomas Berdych
After the “handshake” incident, he hasn’t looked the same…
Semis
Roger Federer – Andy
Murray
Murray by this point of the tournament will be worn
out. He has had to face Raonic, Tsonga & now Federer. Expect a revenge match for Federer dispatching Murray rather quickly. Murray has never beat him in a BIG match up until the Olympics (give credit to Del Po and his 17-19 5th set defeat by Federer) and Federer always likes to have the last laugh.
Novak Djokovic - David Ferrer
I'm expecting a Djokovic to squeek through Del Po and face Ferrer. Djokovic should have minor issues with a 9-5 record against Ferrer, but David can be a handful if overlooked. If Djokovic is playing close to his A game he will be fine. If Del Po put a dent in that armor then Ferrer can capitalize. Bet on Djokovic making it out in four tight sets.
Finals
Federer - Djokovic
Roger winning in three!
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