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Aug/17

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Early US Open Preview

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Preview of US open

With all due respect to Montreal, Cincinnati, Winston Salem, the world of tennis prioritizes the four Grand Slam tournaments. Less than a month away now, all sights are set on the fourth and final tourney, the US Open…

Roger Federer

With his recent Wimbledon victory against Marin Cilic, Federer broke the number of wins at Wimbledon. Given this feat it is not surprising that Federer is one of the top contenders to win at the US Open. This year, Federer has not only won at Wimbledon but also at the Australian Open. Many have been shocked by Federer’s success given his age and injuries. If he can win at the US Open, he will capture 3 of the 4 Grand Slam titles for a total of 20 over his successful career.

Rafael Nadal

With 15 Grand Slam victories to his name, Nadal is also a top player expected to perform at the US Open. After winning the French Open for a record 10th time and narrowly losing the Australian Open to Federer, many believe Nadal is the only male player who can give Federer a run for his money. Nadal returns to action this week on Montreal after an extended break following Roland Garros, and he has won the US Open twice before, in 2013 and 2010.

Alexander Zverev

The 20-year old Russian just won Washington DC’s Citi Open – his fourth ATP final in a row – and could be ready to emerge as a Grand Slam champion. The rising #NEXTGEN star has already proven he can compete with the likes of Nadal and Federer on even terms.

Dominic Thiem

The Austrian star is ranked #7 in the world and is coming off a solid semifinal result at French Open, where he lost to Nadal, whom he defeated earlier in the year on clay. Thiem will turn 24 during the US Open and could be ready to come of age.

Juan Martin Del Potro

The beloved Argentine still has his rocket serve and forehand at 28 so the 2009 US Open champion is always a dangerous threat to any player in the world. The question is does the big man still have the endurance and health to be able to win seven best of five matches over two weeks?

John Isner and Sam Querrey

The Twin Towers of American tennis are 32 and 29 and have both won hard court titles this summer. Both are growing long in the tooth and are both in position to make deep runs at this US Open. Isner and Querrey, with the help of some luck and advantageous draws, could also conceivably win their first Grand Slam title.

Andy Murray

After his sensational 2016, the Dunblane, Scotland marvel has had a supbar season so far this year bogged down by injuries and confidence issues. But the wily Brit loves the US Open as his favorite tournament and certainly could re-awaken at any time.

Nick Kyrgios

The controversial Australian has the firepower and the resources to win any tournament he enters. Unfortunately, if his mind is not in the proper mood, he can also flame out in the first or second rounds to a journeyman grinder. Will the real Nick Kyrgios please step up?

Kei Nishikori

The former US Open finalist has played some of his best tennis in New York. Though no expert will predict this amazing Japanese star to win the title, it should also be noted that no expert pundit predicted the teenaged junior Nishikori would achieve five straight years in the ATP top ten echelon. The 27 year old has the uncanny talent to overachieve.

The Women…

Venus Williams

After being runner-up at Wimbledon last month, Williams is feverishly preparing for the final Grand Slam Tournament. Before Wimbledon, Williams was involved in a car accident where the driver of the other car passed away. Some wonder if this stress in her personal life perhaps is affecting her on the court. Williams was quick to dispel this rumour. Williams has shown excellent form this year and must be considered a top contender.

Garbine Muguruza

The Wimbledon champion was simply sensational at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club and her form could transfer to New York, where she has posted some good results. The question is does Muguruza have the burning desire like her rivals, or has a sense of complacence set in after winning the biggest tournament in the world?

Angelique Kerber

The former WTA World No. 1 was so, so close to winning Wimbledon, falling just short against Muguruza. If she can use that defeat as proper motivation, Kerber could win her third career Grand Slam title next month.

Johanna Konta

The talented, hard-hitting British woman has been knocking on the door to win her first Grand Slam title. The Miami Open champion just needs that little extra push to raise her game just one extra level. She has the experience and the game now to get the job done.

Simona Halep

Arguably the best player in the world this year with her solid all around season, including a deep run at Wimbledon and a French Open final. Like Konta, Halep is ready to make history. If she can keep her nerve and drive the stake through the heart, which she failed to do vs. Ostapenko in Paris despite a set and 3-love lead.

Karolina Plyskova

The Czech woman is the top player in the world and will be looking to affirm her ranking in New York where her power game fits nicely on the American hard court surface.

Madison Keys and Coco Vandeweghe

Both Americans have the attributes, experience and self-belief that they can win a major. The finalists of the Bank of the West event in Stanford (won by Keys yesterday 76 64) should both reach the second week of the US Open at the very minimum. Both could also meet in the final just as well.

Jelena Ostapenko

The amazing Latvian shocked the world in Paris, winning her first Grand Slam title to nearly everyone’s surprise. But she has suffered the expected, natural letdown since. The 20-year-old will be an interesting player to keep an eye on because she has the mental and physical qualities to win any tournament she enters.

Caroline Wozniacki

Now a WTA veteran, Wozniacki has been around a long time and is still searching for that first major. So close so many times, you have to wonder if the self-belief is still there as each year the new waves of young stars continue to complicate her quest.

Maria Sharapova

Since Sharapova did not compete at Wimbledon she must secure a wild card in order to participate in the US Open. Many fans and tennis players are in an uproar about Sharapova being given a wild card given her admission of doping. She was denied a wild card to the French Open for this reason.
These Grand Slam tournaments will also be the focus of many fans of sports betting. In the meantime until the competition resumes, fans could enjoy playing a tennis themed slot machine such as Centre Court. Time will tell how the above players will fare in the upcoming US Open.

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162 comments

  • Busted · August 10, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Leaving aside the fact that Zverev may be injured – ITA. I think Kyrgios will win. The only matches he seems to be interested in are the ones he can use as "grudge" fuel for motivation. It was that way in the spring with Djokovic – and then in Miami when he lost to Federer and said afterwards that he should have won. And it's been that way the 2 times he's played Zverev this year. He's miffed to see the younger man doing better than he is – regardless of the fact that Zverev puts in the work and has the the motivation and drive and WANTS to play and succeed.

  • Hartt · August 10, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    Hartt writes:

    Sascha won in SS. Nick did appear to be bothered by his hip, but generally Sascha played well.

  • Andrew Miller · August 10, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    Andrew Miller writes:

    Svitolina, most improved wta player. What was her French semifinal like?

  • Andrew Miller · August 10, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    Andrew Miller writes:

    Sombrero Sam fails to switch gears as Canadian Cue-Ball, and falls to Anderson in three. Meanwhile, Federer beats Ferrer in a tough three setter, showing either Federer is a little rusty or that Harrison bumped into a Ferrer who's getting a second or third wind on tour.

  • Fiero425 · August 20, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    Too bad seeding done at USO already! Kyrgios has a chance to move up to #12 in the world if he wins today in Cinci! What was the rush; trying to stay out of past controversy when the draw had to be pulled a 2nd time? Only the USO goes thru these controversies; even worse than period with Spanish players objected to being seeded lower at Wimbledon 20+ years ago! At least Flushing bumped Nick up to #15 already! :rolleyes: :ptennis:

  • TennisFan101 · August 23, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    As an American, I find your statement about Canadian sentiment toward the US surprising. I have heard nothing but great things about Canada from people who have visited or moved there; natural beauty and historic locations just to name two reasons to visit.

    When you speak of US magazines, TV shows, and books I have to ask doesn't Canada have a Canadian counterpart of these things.

    Could any hostility be because of the War of 1812 when Canada was still a British colony?

    And are you saying that the US has a political influence on Canada? Or is it just social?

    I have always thought of Canada as our great northern neighbor. Still do.

    Being homesick sux.

  • TennisFan101 · August 23, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    I think seeding should be uniform across the board. Wimby makes up its own rules. What say you?

  • Fiero425 · August 23, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    TennisFan101 said:

    I think seeding should be uniform across the board. Wimby makes up its own rules. What say you?Click to expand…

    The USO has already made up their own rules! IMO, even though I'm from the STATES, it's w/o a doubt scraping the bottom of the barrel in stature compared to other venues and organizations! It's a wonder they're doing so well; absolutely criminal some of the things that have gone on with the draw, change of venue, surface, and flip/flop on BO3 or BO5 in early rounds for the men! It's been a joke for as long as I can remember! :nono: :ptennis: :banghead: 🙁 :rip:

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I love many things about Canada. I love that the nicest people I have ever met are from Toronto. I love that the great game of hockey originated in canada. I love the beautiful city of Montreal. I love that the greatest heavyweight champion of all time learned to box in Kitchener, Ontario – Lennox Lewis. I love the national anthem of Canada Oh Canada. I love Canada.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 23, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I do not mind the varied diverse approaches to seeding. Bottom line is you gotta win matches.

  • TennisFan101 · August 24, 2017 at 8:34 am

    scoop said:

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I love many things about Canada. I love that the nicest people I have ever met are from Toronto. I love that the great game of hockey originated in canada. I love the beautiful city of Montreal. I love that the greatest heavyweight champion of all time learned to box in Kitchener, Ontario – Lennox Lewis. I love the national anthem of Canada Oh Canada. I love Canada.Click to expand…

    Wayne Gretsky

  • britbox · August 24, 2017 at 8:41 am

    Interesting take on Lewis, who I was a huge fan of.

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