This year's United States Open stands to overcome a number of challenges. Aside from the possibility of sever delay as a result of the looming doom from Hurricane Irene, the 2011 U.S. Open may prove to be the first major disappointment in the last 10 years of phenomenal talent.
Since 2008, the top four male players have been the same: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Federer has likely left his superb peak, but a moderate year for him is one for which most would salivate. Nadal is going nowhere. Even though he has not been able to conquer Djokovic this year, Rafa have dominated the rest of the pack all year. Murray may very well surprise us as he did earlier this year in Melbourne, reaching the Australian Open final. However, Andy has the toughest draw of the top 4 and may, easily, be taken out by Stan "the Man" Wawrinka in the third round.
In fact, it was this past AU Open which gave us all a small glimpse into the future -- and boy it is bleak. Simply put, a field led by Novak Djokovic is just not as exciting as one led by Roger or Rafa. While Nole has garnered the best YTD season (57-2) ever, he is not yet the #1 who enters a tournament as either a fan favorite or the public's winning pick. Not the case with either Federer or Nadal. Essentially, this year's draw seems promising enough for any entrant -- quite a bit like each of the women's tournaments over the last few years. Who would be surprised if the fiery Fernando Gonzalez, calm Ernests Gulbis or lone American hope Mardy Fish took the title?
Even still, either of our regularly scheduled champions always has a perceived chance to win any slam. In fact, that's my pick, inspired by the law of averages: Roger-Rafa final with Fed coming out on top. It's been long enough.
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