Formality

Tonight our champion, Rafael Nadal, began he quest to defend the U.S. Open crown. On the other side of the net stood Andrey Golubev, one of Italy's young hopefuls. The match was expected to be one of cliches, much like Roger Federer's the night before.

While being broken once, Nadal still handily accepted the first set in 41 minutes. And then the fun began. Andrey opened the second set with any early break going up quickly to 3-0. The young Italian was open, taking full advantage of every ball Rafa left slightly short on the court. Regardless, a few loose points helped Rafa break back to 2-3 -- things were back on track for the greatest front-runner to roll right along.

Well, maybe not. Golubev immediately broke Nadal at love! And that game began every bit of drama Nadal was surely hoping to avoid in an opening round match at a Grand Slam. Golubev somehow dug himself into a 15-40 hole. He followed it up with a couple unimaginable volleys to level the game at deuce. Let's add in an ace to get to an advantage and then a simple smack of a short ball behind Nadal to pull out the hold. 5-3. Nadal easy holds and forces the Italian to serve for the set.

Upon the side change, Rafa oddly changed rackets even though he had just served with new balls. Golubev seems unphased, racing to an easy an 40-0 but then throws in his 5th double fault. Ah well, with 2 more points for the set, that's when you do it I guess. The next point was easily Rafa's though, with Andrey hesitating on his movement in to the net. 2 set points wasted and then nets his third. Deuce.

Tightening up as the game continues, Golubev seems to be in trouble. But promptly dismisses any nerves with an ace (though challenged by Nadal)! Advantage G. Urg, but then he goes for broke on a wiry forehand and misses. Deuce. Largely clear that the kid just does not seem to know what to do on the big points. Finally Andrey hits a winner and it's immediately followed by a beauty by Nadal right up the line. Back to deuce! Such drama continues and, eventually, Nadal breaks back. No exaggeration of a lost opportunity here. We have to imagine the match is all but over with the looming tiebreaker and third set merely played as a formality.

The match continues with much of the same exasperation. Though Nadal is not necessarily one to be beaten, especially by a man who held a 17-game losing streak earlier in the year, Golubev certainly had his chances to dethrone Rafa while being up a break in the first set, holding 7 set points in the second and somehow capturing 2 breaks and an opportunity to serve for the third set. Even with the impressive display, the board still chalked up a straight set victory for Nadal.

An Open Too Open?

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.