U.S. Open 2010 Men’s Draws: The Showdown
With defending U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro out of the way, the professionals have endless opportunities lined up ahead for them this year.
Ranked no. 4 in the World, Britain’s Andy Murray is out to get his first ever grand slam title. Upon making it through to the third round, Murray would probably be made to face Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka.
Considering the fact that Wawrinka’s best surface is clay, apart from the fact that his and Murray’s head to head rankings are 3-5, defeating him shouldn’t be much of a task for Murray.
In the round to follow, Andy would possibly be opposed by America’s Sam Querry, if not by Spain’s Nicolas Almagro. The two sportsmen will however, have to step their games up, if they want to pose even the slightest of a threat to the Britt.
If Murray manages to make it to the quarter-finals, he’s most likely to come up against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych. Berdych has been in top form this season and is one of the favorites for the semi-finals at the 2010 U.S. Open.
The Britt however, hasn’t been performing any differently. Murray defeated World no. 1 Rafael Nadal and the Swiss Maestro Roger Federer to clinch the 2010 Rogers Cup.
Presently ranked no. 1 in the World, Rafael Nadal stated that winning the U.S. Open is one of his main goals this year. With eight grand slams currently to his name, he has his eye on the prize, as the U.S. Open is the only major tournament that has gotten away from him so far.
Nadal will face Russia’s Teimuraz Gabashvili in the first round of the tournament. However, it isn’t until Rafa is made to play against Germany’s Philipp Kohlscreiber that the Spaniard will face a problem. Although, the 7-0 head to head count between the two suggests otherwise.
Rafa will either face Croatian professional, Ivan Ljubcic or fellow country-man Feliciano Lopez in the fourth round of the championship. As the two sportsmen won’t be much of a challenge for the top seed, upon advancing to the quarter-finals, he is most likely to face companion Fernando Verdasco.
Although, Latvian’s Ernest Gulbis and Argentinean, David Nalbandian are also possible seeded opponents for the King of Clay.
Nalbandian and Nadal’s head to head remains 2-2 and considering the fact that David is in great form, he might pose problems for the professional. On the contrary, defeating Gulbis shouldn’t be an issue for Rafa, as their head to head is 3-0.
Nevertheless, Nadal has been performing flawlessly this season and has been voted, most likely to win the U.S. Open this year. Hopefully, the sportsman will be able to add a U.S. Open win to his tally.
A re-match between Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Sweden’s Robin Soderling is most likely in their draw. Initially, the Swiss Terror will be made to face Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt. He will further have to defeat Austrian sportsman, Jurgen Melzer or Spain’s Carlos Ferrero to proceed.
Soderling on the other hand, will have to get past Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez and Croatian Marin Cilic to verily face Federer in the quarter-finals.
Federer is known to be one of the favorites for the U.S. Open. However, Soderling has been on top of his game this season as well. If facing each other, the match could go either way.
To Serbia’s Novak Djokovic’s dismay, his draw seems to be the toughest so far. The no. 3 seed will take on fellow country-man Viktor Troicki in the first round. Upon proceeding further, the Serb will be made to face Germany’s Philipp Petzschner.
As far as the third round is concerned, Nole will either face Argentina’s Juan Monaco or New York’s James Blake. With such tough opponents, one can’t be sure of how Nole will perform. However, if he makes it through, he will either face America’s Andy Roddick or Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko, prior to which, he will have to defeat American player, Mardy Fish.
Although, if looked at positively, Nole’s been performing well this season and could quite possibly make it through to the semi-finals at the U.S. Open this year.
Let the games begin.
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