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2011 US Open Tennis

With the 2011 US Open Tennis Championships now underway, Farhan Shah looks at the tournament’s main contenders, in the season’s final Grand Slam of the year.

MAJOR CONTENDERS (MEN)

Novak Djokovic

The Serbian’s phenomenal performance this year has seen him capture a second Australian Open and maiden Wimbledon title. Djokovic’s 43-match winning streak was broken at the French Open – losing in the semi-finals to Roger Federer – but his lethal power game and defensive court coverage makes him the man to beat. His win-loss record this year is 57-2, and he thoroughly deserves the favouritism tag.

Rafael Nadal

The ‘King of Clay’ managed the rare feat of winning his first US Open crown last year, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. He lost his prized number one ranking this year at Wimbledon, but a fit and firing Nadal still remains a force to be reckoned with, as the 10-time Grand Slam champion seeks to creep ever so closer to Roger Federer’s record haul of 16 titles.

Roger Federer

Despite slipping to number three in the world, the 30-year-old remains a formidable threat, especially at Flushing Meadows, where he has captured five consecutive titles between 2004 and 2008. The question is, will he be good enough to beat both Nadal and Djokovic if the draw is unkind to him? Probably not; history suggests you are not meant to win slams once you reach 30 years of age.

Andy Murray

The last member of ‘the big four’, Scot Andy Murray, has had an indifferent season. He has performed poorly for the most part, but is having his best year in Grand Slams, with a runner-up and two semi-finals appearances. The world number four has finished runner-up in three Grand Slams – at the 2008 US Open, and the 2010 and 2011 Australian Open. With hard courts being his best surface, he should go deep into the tournament as he continues to seek his first Grand Slam win, which would dispel the pressure and expectation from the British press.

Best of the rest

Juan Martin del Potro has to be in the conversation of genuine contenders. The 2009 US Open champion beat both Nadal and Federer in one weekend to stun the tennis world. Mardy Fish is in career-best form and has taken the mantle of America’s number one player off Andy Roddick. The other main names are the trio of big servers: Tomas Berdych, Robin Soderling and Jo Wilfried-Tsonga.

MAJOR CONTENDERS (WOMEN)

Caroline Wozniacki

Despite her WTA ranking of number one, Wozniacki is still seeking her maiden Grand Slam breakthrough. In her only major final to date, the Danish star finished runner-up at the 2009 US Open. She has received criticism that her game style is too defensive, so she needs a big victory to prove the tennis world wrong.

Serena Williams

After missing a year of tennis through a string of injuries, it hasn’t taken long for the younger Williams sister to regain her mojo. Since returning, she has won two out of five events entered, a phenomenal strike rate. The 13-time Grand Slam champion is chasing her fourth US Open title. Aided by the support of a home crowd, her mere presence will have rivals on notice, and she certainly knows how to win a Grand Slam.

Maria Sharapova

The Russian is coming into this tournament in terrific form having won a key lead-up tournament in Cincinnati and finished runner-up at Wimbledon. Unlike most of her European counterparts, Sharapova has the steely determination and willpower to take her all the way. Her three major titles is a testament to that.

Best of the rest

Crucially, three-time US Open winner Kim Clijsters will not be competing this year. The popular Belgian has withdrawn with a stomach muscle injury. This makes the draw even more open. Players to look out for include: Vera Zvonareva and Victoria Azarenka.

AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE

In Lleyton Hewitt’s absence, all eyes will be on 18-year-old Bernard Tomic. After his breakthrough quarter-final performance at Wimbledon this year, it will be interesting to see if it was a one-hit wonder or whether he can prove his mettle. Although Sam Stosur has had a solid build-up to the final Grand Slam of the year – by reaching the final in Toronto – most pundits feel her small window of opportunity has passed. Don’t expect her to do any better than last year, where she made the quarter-finals.

FINAL TIPS

Men’s singles final – Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal

Women’s singles final – Serena Williams d. Maria Sharapova

Farhan Shah is a first year Bachelor of Journalism (Sport) student at La Trobe University

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