2009 U.S. Open Men's Preview
A Look At The Contenders For The Final Tennis Grand Slam Of The Year
Aug 29, 2009
The 2009 U.S. Open kicks off on Monday, August 31st and it promises to be a fun two weeks of tennis filled with great athleticism, drama, and excitement.
The American Hopefuls At The 2009 U.S. Open
Sam Querrey has played the best tennis of his career this summer. He hs won the U.S. Open Series, having won one tournament and gone deep in several others. At the Open, he will look to make his first big run in a Major. He has a potentially tough match-up with French Open finalist Robin Soderling in the Third Round, but if he can get by that, he has a good chance to make the Quarterfinals where he would likely run into Roger Federer.
Mardy Fish had a strong showing at the U.S. Open last year, defeating good friend James Blake and putting up a good fight before succumbing to Rafael Nadal. He has a potentially tough Third Round match-up with Juan Martin Del Potro but if he can somehow get by that, he has a good chance to make the Quarterfinals, where he would meet Andy Murray.
James Blake will look to have another strong showing at the Major wher he has played his best tennis over the years. He has not played much this summer so he may be a little rusty. If he can find his game, though, he has a favorable draw to the Fourth Round, where he would likely play Federer.
Andy Roddick is the American with the best chance to win the whole tournament. He is the last man other than Federer to win the U.S. Open, having won it six years ago. Roddick's gave has improved immensely this year. He is much quicker on the court and hitting much better from the baseline, all of which was evident in his epic match with Federer in the Wimbledon Final. He has a fairly easy draw to the Quarterfinals where he would meet Djokovic in a match that would likely be a pick 'em. If he can get by that he would likely meet his nemesis Federer in the Semifinals.
The Favorites At The 2009 U.S. Open
Novac Djokovic has played well at the U.S. Open in the past, making the Finals in 2007 and the Semifinals in 2008, losing to Federer both times. He has already won a Major on hardcourts, at the 2008 Australian Open. He has a fairly easy draw to the Quarterfinals where he would meet Andy Roddick. He beat Roddick in the Quarterfinals last year, but Roddick is a better player know and beat him a couple of weeks ago. Djokovic will have to be at his absolute best to beat Roddick. If he can get by him, he would likely play Federer in the Semifinals where he would be a significant underdog.
Rafael Nadal has had a tough year since winning the Australian Open. He lost to Robin Soderling at the French and then came down with a knee injury forcing him to miss Wimbledon and he hasn't played much since. This is the only Major Nadal has never won and his draw is not easy. He would have to likely get past Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfired Tsonga, and Andy Murray just to get to the Final. If he is not 100%, which he likely is not, he has very little chance to win this tournament.
Andy Murray has earned the title: Best player to have never won a major. He made the Finals last year, losing to Federer. This year he is looking at a tough Quarterfinal against Juan Martin Del Potro, who has played very well this summer. If he can get by that, he would have a tough Semifinal most likely against Tsonga or Nadal. He will be a favorite, though, to make the Final, and a potential rematch with Federer.
Roger Federer, what can be left to be said about him? The pundits were writing him off this year after he lost to Nadal in Australia. All he has done since is win his first French Open and break Sampras' all-time Grand Slam record, by winning Wimbledon for a sixth time. He is already the greatest tennis player of all-time and will look to enhance his legacy by winning a sixth consecutive U.S. Open. Despite a very strong field, it would be foolish to pick against Federer.
