To many, the pinnacle of the tennis season occurs at the Us Open. A buildup of four grand slam tournaments and a long tennis season all comes together with a beautiful tournament in New York during one of the many times of the year.
For those who haven't had the privilege to enjoy Flushing Meadows in person, the television coverage may give a glimpse into the attractiveness of this backdrop, but looking it in someone brings things to another level.
Us Open 2010
Without supplementary ado, let's look into the contenders for this year's championship, with some diagnosis surrounding each potential winner.
Juan Martin del Potro: Here is a player who can't be overlooked. The young Argentine, still just 20 years old, had a gargantuan hard court season in 2008, winning four right tournaments leading up to the Us Open, and 23 right matches within that span. This is the second longest winning streak by a teenager in the Open Era, behind Rafael Nadal, who of course, won the bulk of his matches on clay. Del Potro reached the quarterfinals at least year's open, but was stopped short by Andy Murray in a four set nailbiter. Murray went on to expand to the finals. This is all an indication that an improving Del Potro can't be overlooked at this year's tournament.
Andy Roddick: Andy Roddick is realistically the only American hopeful at grand slam events, and has remained that way for quite some time. For a long time, Roddick often busy the 5-8 seeds, although such a high seeding was virtually meaningless given the dominance of top 3 players Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Federer has since experienced some shakiness, Nadal has struggled with injury, and Djokovic's reasoning game has affected his performance, thus chance the door for players like Roddick to make a measurable impact. Roddick won his only grand slam at the Us Open in 2003, but this seems like ages ago in the tennis world. Still, a newly invigorated Roddick (with an emphasis on fitness) made the Wimbledon final, and played an thinkable, match against Roger Federer, nearly defeating him. In the middle of Roddick's momentum, his huge serve, and the spirit of the home crowd behind him, Andy Roddick's chances can't be discounted at the 2009 Us Open.
Andy Murray: Last year's finalist, and the world's estimate 3 ranked player. A spot long held by Novak Djokovic, Murray has broken serious ground with his emergence into the top 3, and his defeat of Rafael Nadal at last year's Us Open semifinal goes to show that Andy Murray has a legitimate shot to break through to the finals again this year. However, Murray was really defeated by Roger Federer at last year's final (straight sets), so he may need to show some marked revising in order to stand a chance should he break through once again this year. At just 22 years of age, his game is still improving, so this is very well possible.
Rafael Nadal: Very arguably the world's best current tennis player when healthy, Rafael Nadal has dominated the clay courts, defeated the king of Wimbledon (Roger Federer) at the 2008 final, and did so once again at the Australian Open final earlier this year, giving Nadal grand slam wins on all three surfaces. Since Nadal was the most up-to-date hard court grand slam winner, there's really no guess he can't win a Us Open. However, two things stand in Nadal's way: injuries, and a history of struggles at the Us Open. Rafael Nadal was forced into sitting out Wimbledon in 2009, and one has to wonder if his loss at the French to Robyn Soderling had anything to do with his recurring knee injury. Nadal is rested and plans to return for the hard court season, but the extent to which he can make an impact remains unknown, as his knees are still untested since his injury. Hard courts are no friend to sick knees, as the face puts more strain on the body than any other does. Additionally, Nadal has never made it past the Us Open semifinals, losing to players like James Blake (2005, 3rd round), Mikhail Youzhny (2006, quarterfinals), David Ferrer (2007, fourth round), and Andy Murray (2008, semifinals). Nadal has some major hurdles to overcome this year, but never backs down from a challenge.
Roger Federer: Ah, the king. The newly anointed king of tennis won his record-breaking 15th grand slam at Wimbledon in 2009. With some help from an injured Rafael Nadal, possibly the only player who arguably has Federer's number, the road was easier for Federer...but still an extremely moving one given Federer's struggles in 2008, an increasingly competing field, and his age of 28. Despite all this, what is most impressive is that Federer has won each of the last five Us Opens since Roddick won in 2003. To win five right Grand Slams positions Federer as the sure favorite at this year's Us Open. For his sake, let's just hope he doesn't meet Nadal in the finals.
Regardless of the outcome, this year's Us Open is sure to be as moving as any before. Enjoy those two weeks, as some great tennis is an thinkable, way to cap off the summer.
The Us Open 2009 - Predictions for Men's Tennis
