Each year as the end of August nears, the U.S. Open is just beginning at Flushing Meadows in New York City. The U.S. Open is one of the four Grand Slams in tennis, which are the most prestigious tennis tournaments on the planet.
As it begins, hundreds of thousands of fans rush to Flushing Meadows, where the annual event is held. Each fan in attendance has only one big question in mind: who will win it all?
First, we will look at the men who are capable of snatching the title. Of course one could not overlook current world No.1 Roger Federer. Fresh off his record 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July and a finals appearance in the Gold medal match at the Olympics, Federer was brimming with confidence and playing some of the best tennis of his career. To great surprise, he was thwarted by Thomas Berdych in the quarterfinals in a grueling four sets
Berdych will now have to face Great Britain’s golden boy Andy Murray. While Murray was beaten by Federer in the Wimbledon final, he turned it around and was the victor in their most recent meeting in the Gold Medal match at the Olympics. Murray is playing with newfound aggression and is trying his hardest to win his first Grand Slam title.
Another player in the mix is Novak Djokovic. He is the defending champion at The Open and is currently in good form looking to avenge some recent losses to other top men in the game. Rafael Nadal is out with a knee injury, leaving perhaps a slot open for Juan Martin del Potro to have a shot at the championship. He has won here before and, since coming back from a wrist injury, has only been improving this year. He is a big hitter and if on his game, it will be tough for anyone to get in his way of the trophy.
On the women’s side, there is one dominant force that appears to be making a beeline for the U.S. Open Championship. This force is none other than Serena Williams.
She recently put a stranglehold on the women’s game as she took the Wimbledon title in July and the singles and doubles Gold Medals at the Olympics. She is playing with amazing focus and passion, and her serving has been impeccable.
If anyone is to take her out they will have to play the match of their life.
Maria Sharapova is also looking for a title here, which would be her second. She is playing well and seems as focused as ever, but perhaps current world No.1 Victoria Azarenka could stop her. Azarenka has been on fire this year, and although she has cooled as of late, she is still playing excellent tennis.
One other female who is hungry for the title is Italy’s firecracker Sara Errani. After a hard-fought victory over close friend and doubles partner Roberta Vinci in the quarterfinals, it is clear that Errani is focused on winning it all in New York.
If I were to bet on it, I would say Novak Djokovic will be the men’s champion, while Serena Williams will take the women’s title. Only these next few days will tell who has the strength and the will-power to go all the way, and who will rise above the rest to claim one of the most prestigious tournaments the sport has to offer.
