US O GO!

US Open 2010 Preview

There are just a few hours left for the last grand slam of the year to go! Last but not the least will definitely hold good for the US Open as it is one of the most celebrated events in the sport , happening at the Flushing meadows in the Apple city of New York.

This year’s open is marred in the women’s circuit with the withdrawals of Justin Henin,Serena Williams among others which leaves last year’s titlist Kim Clijsters and runner-up Caroline Wozniacki as the hot favorites for having a shot at the title this year. In the men’s circuit, the options are wide enough this year. The winner of last year’s USO Juan Martin del Potro would unfortunately be unable to defend his title owing to injury & the Open is to see a different champion for sure. Who will that be?? Let us play the cards.


The contenders

 World No.1, Rafael Nadal:
Why he can?
He is back at the helm winning two slams in a row & sweeping the entire clay court season.
He needs this one badly to complete a career golden slam – which only Agassi has managed to do.
Many pundits feel that a US Open crown in his repertoire would claim his contention of being one of the very best the game has ever seen. If that cannot motivate, nothing else can.

Why he can’t?
He hasn’t reached the finals at Flushing Meadows even once. His best has been a semi-final appearance. Losing in four sets to Murray in 08 & receiving a thrashing at del Potro’s hands last year.
The fast paced courts wouldn’t help him as well as they can in clay. Guys will have fast answers to his top spinners.

World No.2, Roger Federer:

Why he can?
He is the in-form player with a final loss at Toronto & a trophy at Cincinnati.
He has won the US Open in 2004,05,06,07,08 & was runner-up after leading 2 sets to 1 in 09.PERIOD.

Why he can’t?
He is 29 now. Getting old is a significant thing in a sport like tennis.
His consistency at slams has slowly been waning off.
Has the difficult of draws – to face Soderling in the Q/Fs.

World No.3, Novak Djokovic:

Why he can?
He has it in him to win a grand slam. He has shown that.
He has been consistent at the US Open reaching the final once in 07 & semis in 08,09.

Why he can’t?
He is highly unpredictable and his respiratory disorders don’t help his cause either.
He has hurdles in Andy Roddick & Roger Federer to reach the final.

World No.4, Andy Murray

Why he can?
He reached the final in 08 defeating Nadal. Had reached the final at Aus open this year once again defeating Nadal & losing to Roger. So he has the hard court game to threaten the bigwigs.
He needs a slam badly to shrug off the ‘the best player not to have won a slam’ image – That can arouse him bigtime.
Defeated Rafa & Roger a fortnight back at Toronto. What a confidence boost that could be!

Why he can’t?
Has to defeat Nadal once again to reach the final. Defeating Rafa three times in Slams. Has anybody done that?! I doubt..
Has to ward off his inconsistent shows. Last year he was thrashed by Marin Cilic. That was unexpected.

Other darkhorses:

Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych – Guys who have already spoiled Roger’s party at Paris & Wimbledon this year can cause such upsets and break into the semis at New York too. Watch out for these big serving boom forehand players.

Andy Roddick & Nikolay Davydenko – Veterans who have the potent WMDs with them but the time against them. They are getting close to 30 and they are no Roger. It is a make or break year for these two and that might stir them to cause some damage to the draw.

This US Open is not an easy one to predict but nothing can better a final showdown that reads:

[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP)

VS

[2] Roger Federer (SUI)

They haven't met in a slam since Aus 2009.And I am looking forward to that showdown.