After much ATP and WTA tournaments,attention now shifts to the last Grand slam of the year in Flushing Meadows in USA. Newfanzone.com takes a look at the chances of the big wigs,possible upsets and how it will all go down in Flushing meadows.
MEN’S PREVIEW
The biggest news coming to this competition is the withdrawal of defending champion Rafael Nadal who missed out because of a wrist injury.
Swiss Legend Roger Federer looks more likely to win this tournament after fine displays in the Rogers cup and his exploits in Ciccinati. Roger Federer is playing his 60th consecutive Grand slamand even though he has turned 33 trust Roger Federer to at least get to the last four if not win the competition.
World Number one and Serbian Novak Djokovic whose favourite surface is the Hard court has had a dreadful few weeks. He lost easily in Toronto and Ciccinati in the third round to Jo Wilfrend Tsonga and Tommy Robredo respectively. Djokovic getting married has seem to distract him a bit but count on the Serb to be the Favourite going into this tournament.
Third seed Stanislas Wawrinka will want to build on his last year semi-final run. Wawrinka has been inconsistent after winning the Australian Open having lost in Masters leading to this tournament to players ranked below him. He has the talent but I don’t see him winning the tournament.
World Number 5 and Fourth seed David Ferrer reaches the latter stages of Grand slams consistently but with Roger’s form and Novak in the competition a semi-final berth will be great for the Spaniard.
British Number 1 and two time Grand slam champion Andy Murray seems to have had a torrid time after winning wimbledon last year where he has dropped from number 2 to 9th in the rankings. His partnership with Amelie Mauresmo don’t seem to blossom and nothing his expected of him in this event. He can pull a surprise knowing he has to make the ATP world tour finals in London but his chances are very bleak.
Other Notable players that might get to ruffle shoulders with the big boys are Thomas Berdych,Kei Nishikori,Grigor Dimitrov,Jo Wilfred Tsonga,Milos Raonic,Juliean Benneateau and South African Kevin Anderson.
NOTABLE FIRST ROUND DRAWS
Novak Djokovic vs Diego Schwartzman
Andy Murray vs Robin Haase
Stanislas Wawrinka vs Jiri Vesley
Roger Federer vs Marinko Matosevic
David Ferrer vs Damir Dzumhur
Marin Cilic vs Marcos Baghdatis
Kevin Anderson vs Pablo Cuevas
Thomas Berdych vs Leyton Lewitt
J.Wilfred Tsonga vs Juan Monaco
Jerzy Janowicz vs Dusan lajovic
Kei Nishikori vs Wayne Odesnik
Mikhail Youzhny vs Nick Krygios
NEWFANZONE VERDICT
It is hard to pick between the Serb Novak and Federer but we think Federer looks good going into this one and he knows this might be his last chance realistically of winning a Grand Slam at 33.
WOMEN’S PREVIEW
Defending Champion Serena Williams heads into flushing meadows as odds on favourites to win the US open title even if she has failed to win a Grand slam this year,Li Na(Australian open),Maria Sharapova (French Open),Petra Kvitova(Wimbledon). Serena has won five WTA tournaments this year and she needs to be consistent in flushing meadows especially against the lesser ranked players if she wants to win the las Grand slam for this year.
Maria sharapova is 5-1 odds to win the U.S open title. After missing the tournament last year the 5 time Grand slam champion is rearing to win her sixth Grand slam title. Sharapova Achilles heel has been Serena williams whom she has not beaten since 2004. Hopefully if she wants to win the U.4 open she would Serena gets eliminated before facing her at any stage.
Victoria Azarenka injury woes this season has seen her tennis career experience a bit of low. With points to defend and an opportunity to put her season back on track Victoria would need to perform well in New york this year
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will want to win two consecutive Grand slams in a row and she needs to be on top her game to achieve that. The Czech is very inconsistent but if she gets a good draw to the final she might fancy her chances yet again.
Losing Finalist in the French open Simona Halep is also one to look out for as she has been very consistent this year even going as high as been world No 2. The US open title will be a wonderful finish to Halep’s transformation this year.
Rory Mcllroy Ex-Girlfriend and 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki will need to be at her energetic best if she wants to have a chance at the title. The former world number one has an outside chance of winning her first ever Grand slam title.
Eugenie Bouchard like Simona Halep has also enjoyed a breakthrough season this year. The 20 year old canadian reached the final in Wimbledon and also had a good run in other Grand slams this year. Though she dosent seems to play well at WTA events the Bouchard showed herself in the big stage and who says she cannot go one better in fushing meadows.
Other Notable players that might pull a shocker include Venus williams,Agnieska Radwanska,Ana Ivanovic,Sara Errani,Sabine Lisicki,Angelique Kerber,Flavia Pennetta,Sam Stosur and Ekaterina Makarova.
NOTABLE FIRST ROUND DRAWS
Serena Willaims vs Taylor Townsend
Sam Stosur vs Lauren Davis
Maria Sharapova vs Maria Kirilenko
Sara Errani vs Kirstein Flipkens
Petra Kvitova vs Kristina Mladenovic
Victoria Azarenka vs Misaki Doi
Roberta Vinci vs Paula Ormaechea
Caroline Wozniacki vs Magdalena Rybarikova
Venus Williams vs Kimiko Date-Krumm
Simona Halep vs Danielle Rose Collins
NEWFANZONE VERDICT
Serena williams is the lady to beat as she looks to defend her title but when it comes to women’s tennis anything can happen so Sharapova,Halep and Kvitova might fancy their chances.
You can send your predictions to @ newfanzone and @demydemo on twitter. Remember Newfanzone comes up every saturday on City 105.1 fm from 2pm.
ADEJUWON ADEMOLA
newfanzone 