Up for Grabs

With the US Open lurking just a day away, tennis fans cannot help but wonder about the final already: Will it again be a Federer-Nadal classic in the making? Will Djokovic have another, much needed, break through Slam? Can Murray make a name for himself and strike on land that is not covered with the green grass? Who knows, but this year's Open is proving to be the most unpredictable and exciting we've seen in years.

For the first time in his youthful yet illustrious career, Nadal enters a Grand Slam as the #1 seed. He has the disadvantage of never having shone at the Open, at best coming to the quarters. But he must be considered among the favourties to win. Arthur Ashe Stadium is far from Rafa's golden court, but after clinching top points of the Olympus US Open Series, a $2.6 million payout will have the 22-year-old striving for the title.

Andy Murray has all the support in the world... in the UK... during Wimbledon. However, he has had some great success on hard courts this season in the US, most notably when he defeated Nole in Cincinnati to win his first Masters Series title. The young Scot even tied for the most points of the Open Series, but was granted second place as a tiebreak record put Nadal ahead. Murray is young, powerful and hungry -- he's certainly one to watch.

The two most well-versed hard court players by far, though, are Novak Djokovic and defending champion Roger Federer. While the Serb has not been able to live up to his Australian Open performance, no player wants to see Novak on his side of the draw. Federer as well has not had his normal pristine season but is always a strong favourite to win any tournament he decides to enter, and this US Open is far from exception. Federer can still play as beautifully as ever and, probably more than any player out there, wants (and needs) this crown. It will be a shock if he does not make it to the final, after thrashing Djokovic in a semifinal rematch of last year's final. Just remember that Federer will be at the bottom of the draw so don't think he's been defeated when his is not the first name you see!

What about the Americans?! This is the US Open after all: will there be any excitement produced from the grand slew of fellows contesting on home soil? There are Andy and Blake leading the way (seeded 8 and 9, respectively) along with young sensations Isner, Kendrick, Querrey and Young, to name a few. It's hard, though, to think that any of them has even the potential to make a significant dent in the draw. Blake has been playing well and Andy did win this back in '03, but can they really pose a serious threat to the top 3 (& Murray)? Doubtful.