U.S. Open Preview : Contenders, Pretenders, and Sleepers.
All right America, World, Members of the Universe, the U.S. Open has started, and round one is in the books. All the big dogs are still alive, and so now is the time for me to place my picks. First I will begin with the men, listing the top 5 contenders, 1 pretender, and one sleeper. Ready? Here we go:
Contender #1. Roger Federer: Roger Federer is the best tennis player in the world. He's coming off of a Wimbledon Title and an Australian Open Title, in just this season. This guy is on a roll, nobody can beat him on a non-clay surface (only Rafael Nadal can beat him on clay). He's got the best chances of winning the U.S. Open, since he's got so much momentum, and confidence entering this tournament.
Contender #2. Rafael Nadal: Nadal is Federer's newly arrived rival, after beating Federer in the French Open and playing Federer tight in the Wimbledon Final, you have to put Nadal at Number 2.
Contender #3. Marcos Baghdatis: I know this kid is seeded (8) in this tournament, but in my mind he's the number 3 guy. He's the only (non-federer/nadal) guy to appear in a final this entire season. The final that was in was the Australian Open, which is also played on Hard Court. Don't count out Baghdatis.
Contender #4. Andy Roddick: This former U.S. Open Champ seems to be ready to break out and win another slam. The issue, is the fact that he is seeded (9). So, he has a tough draw. Bagdhatis and Nadal are both in his bracket.
Contender #5. David Nalbandian: This guy is the fourth seed in this tournament, and even though no-name Michael Berrer gave him a scare, his next match is against hot-headed Marat Safin, and so I expect him to go out, whoop Safin like a Chow, and proceed to beat the winner of the meaningless Ryan Sweeting/Olivier Rochus match. He's got a chance to go deep.
Sleeper- Andy Murray: I know Murray is only seeded (17), but watch out for this kid, he's young, he's getting better, and he's now Britain's replacement of Tim Henman as Britain's only real first teer player. This kid could surprise some people.
Pretender- James Blake: I know that since Blake shaved his head, he's risen to a new level, and is certainly among the top tennis players in the world. But when the semi finals come rolling around in a slam, this guy is never around, and he keeps getting these really good seeds. I'm rooting for Blake, and all that good stuff, but I honestly don't see contender imprinted on his shaved head.
Ok, now it's time for the ladies.
Contender #1. Amelie Mauresmo: She's coming off of an Australian Open title and a Wimbledon title. She's playing great right now, and she's looking really strong. Winning 2 of the first 3 grand slams this year, she's undoubtedly the number one women's player in the world. Even if she does not win the U.S. Open, but puts forth a quarter final effort, she'll finish #1 in the women's world rankings. No doubt.
Contender #2. Justine Henin-Hardenne: She won the French Open this year, and finished runner-up in both the Australian Open and Wibledon (lost both to Amelie Mauresmo). With that in mind, you have to place her at number 2. She's won 4 slams in her career, and she's always been a threat. Watch out for Henin-Hardenne.
Contender #3. Maria Sharapova: Winner of Wimbledon in 2004, and Semi Finalist in Australia and Wimbledon, she can play. She's young, and yet gaining experience. Every year she get's better and better. If Sharapova is not in the semis, or finals, I'll be shocked.
Contender #4: Lindsay Davenport: She's a high ranked seed in this tourney, and this could be her last open. So, watch out for her. She's on a mission.
Contender #5. Martina Hingis: Winner of 5 slams and currently ranked #9, Hingis is still a player to watch out for. She's certainly capable of pulling an end of career run at the U.S. Open. She's not the same Martina Hingis that she was, but don't rest on this woman. She's still got something to offer.
Sleeper- Serena Williams: She's still capable of beating a lot of players, and if she buckles down, anything is possible.
Pretender- Nadia Petrova: She lost in the first round of the French Open, and missed Wimbledon, yet she's seeded #6. Go figure.
Contender #1. Roger Federer: Roger Federer is the best tennis player in the world. He's coming off of a Wimbledon Title and an Australian Open Title, in just this season. This guy is on a roll, nobody can beat him on a non-clay surface (only Rafael Nadal can beat him on clay). He's got the best chances of winning the U.S. Open, since he's got so much momentum, and confidence entering this tournament.
Contender #2. Rafael Nadal: Nadal is Federer's newly arrived rival, after beating Federer in the French Open and playing Federer tight in the Wimbledon Final, you have to put Nadal at Number 2.
Contender #3. Marcos Baghdatis: I know this kid is seeded (8) in this tournament, but in my mind he's the number 3 guy. He's the only (non-federer/nadal) guy to appear in a final this entire season. The final that was in was the Australian Open, which is also played on Hard Court. Don't count out Baghdatis.
Contender #4. Andy Roddick: This former U.S. Open Champ seems to be ready to break out and win another slam. The issue, is the fact that he is seeded (9). So, he has a tough draw. Bagdhatis and Nadal are both in his bracket.
Contender #5. David Nalbandian: This guy is the fourth seed in this tournament, and even though no-name Michael Berrer gave him a scare, his next match is against hot-headed Marat Safin, and so I expect him to go out, whoop Safin like a Chow, and proceed to beat the winner of the meaningless Ryan Sweeting/Olivier Rochus match. He's got a chance to go deep.
Sleeper- Andy Murray: I know Murray is only seeded (17), but watch out for this kid, he's young, he's getting better, and he's now Britain's replacement of Tim Henman as Britain's only real first teer player. This kid could surprise some people.
Pretender- James Blake: I know that since Blake shaved his head, he's risen to a new level, and is certainly among the top tennis players in the world. But when the semi finals come rolling around in a slam, this guy is never around, and he keeps getting these really good seeds. I'm rooting for Blake, and all that good stuff, but I honestly don't see contender imprinted on his shaved head.
Ok, now it's time for the ladies.
Contender #1. Amelie Mauresmo: She's coming off of an Australian Open title and a Wimbledon title. She's playing great right now, and she's looking really strong. Winning 2 of the first 3 grand slams this year, she's undoubtedly the number one women's player in the world. Even if she does not win the U.S. Open, but puts forth a quarter final effort, she'll finish #1 in the women's world rankings. No doubt.
Contender #2. Justine Henin-Hardenne: She won the French Open this year, and finished runner-up in both the Australian Open and Wibledon (lost both to Amelie Mauresmo). With that in mind, you have to place her at number 2. She's won 4 slams in her career, and she's always been a threat. Watch out for Henin-Hardenne.
Contender #3. Maria Sharapova: Winner of Wimbledon in 2004, and Semi Finalist in Australia and Wimbledon, she can play. She's young, and yet gaining experience. Every year she get's better and better. If Sharapova is not in the semis, or finals, I'll be shocked.
Contender #4: Lindsay Davenport: She's a high ranked seed in this tourney, and this could be her last open. So, watch out for her. She's on a mission.
Contender #5. Martina Hingis: Winner of 5 slams and currently ranked #9, Hingis is still a player to watch out for. She's certainly capable of pulling an end of career run at the U.S. Open. She's not the same Martina Hingis that she was, but don't rest on this woman. She's still got something to offer.
Sleeper- Serena Williams: She's still capable of beating a lot of players, and if she buckles down, anything is possible.
Pretender- Nadia Petrova: She lost in the first round of the French Open, and missed Wimbledon, yet she's seeded #6. Go figure.
posted by Ben Parker at 2:41 PM
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