2010 US Open Preview: Can Roger Federer be back to his winning ways … again?
With the US Open less than a week away, seeded players from all over the world want to win the Grand Slam, improve their rankings and above all, become part of history. Yet for those tennis stars who wish to get their hands on the cup, the name of Roger Federer will mean the world, for the Swiss becomes a force to reckon with before the event begins at the Flushing Meadows.
The former world number 1, and the second seed at this year’s US Open, has returned to winning ways this week by defeating American Mardy Fish in the final of the Cincinnati Masters, and claiming his 63rd title in the process. With the timely win, the Swiss announced himself as the man to beat at the US Open. It would be a tough task for the great player to reach the semifinal of the Grand Slam, since he failed to do so at the French Open and the Wimbledon this year. However, his return to title-winning ways has brought an end to a six-month drought where even semifinals seem to desert him.
Not any more. The way he went through Mardy Fish at Cincinnati is exactly the way he used to play during his prime. His return to form is a welcome sign for his fans and a worrying sign for his opponents. Before the French Open this year, Federer appeared in an unprecedented 22 career Grand Slam finals, and reached the semi-finals or better of 23 consecutive Grand Slams; a record streak that spans over six years. The Swiss also held the record of reaching 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals and appeared in 18 of the last 19.
However, his form dipped six months back and he went on a losing spree, the first of his professional career. On his favourite hunting court, the Flushing Meadows, the five-time champion is a different player since he enjoys one of the best records at the venue. Until his loss last year to Juan Martin Del Potro in the grand finale, he had an astonishing record at the US Open. He reached as many as 6 finals and lost one, that too in 2009.
Federer rates Andy Murray of Britain as the biggest obstacle in his pursuit of a 17th major crown, and he is also apprehensive of his nemesis Nadal. However, he is optimistic of his own performance, and believes that he can do it this time. His belief in his ability may prove to be the key to his success, since it was only last week that he lost to Andy Murray in the final of the Rogers Cup, while Nadal has proved his superiority over him since his return from injury this year.
If 2009 had been Federer’s year, 2010 has been anything but that. He has lost to Nadal on the clay in Madrid ahead of the French Open, been toppled by the underrated Lleyton Hewitt on grass in Halle before Wimbledon, and was handed defeat by Murray in Toronto for the first time in a grand finale. But even then, he managed to serve his way back and claim the Cincinnati Masters, making his intentions known to all.
Federer’s record as a tennis great speaks for itself. He has won more Grand Slam titles than any other tennis player; he is one of the selected few to have won a Career Grand Slam and he is the most respected tennis player of his era. He has the facts on his side as well. While defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro, the only man to defeat Federer at the US Open, has pulled out of the event due to an injury, Nadal has always struggled at the US Open, the same way as Federer has struggled at the Roland Garros. Yet Federer has the edge over the Spaniard as he managed to reach the final on multiple occasions and even win the French Open when presented the chance. May the best player win at the Flushing Meadows!
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