The best tennis players in the world will descend unto the bright lights of New York City. The Men’s Draw should be heavily contested with the Big Four of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all in the field. Meanwhile, Serena Williams has a chance of making history in the Women’s Draw by winning her first Career Grand Slam.
Read on as we take a look at the best six players to keep an eye on in the upcoming 2015 U.S. Open. Get the most out of the last Grand Slam of the season; check out the top sleepers for the U.S. Open, as well as the experts’ picks.
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2015 U.S. Open Preview
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Novak Djokovic
[sc:Other240banner ]Novak Djokovic (EVEN) is the man to beat in the 2015 U.S. Open. He holds the top seed of the tournament after winning two of the three Grand Slams this year: the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championship. But the world No. 1 has struggled to get his game going stateside, winning just one U.S. Open title in five finals appearances since 2007. Djokovic has made at least the semifinals of the U.S. Open in the past eight years.
Djokovic hasn’t looked incredibly strong leading up to the U.S. Open. He’s played in three-set matches (albeit all victories) against the likes of Alexandr Dolgopolov and David Goffin at Cincinnati, as well as Ernests Gulbis in Montreal. But then, he lost in the finals of both tournaments against Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Djokovic also has a pretty tough draw in the U.S. Open, possibly facing another top player in Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
Serena Williams
Can anyone stop Serena Williams? The world No. 1 is on course to become the first woman to win all four Grand Slam events in one year since Steffi Graf in 1988. Williams has been unstoppable, winning the past four Grand Slams dating back to the 2014 U.S. Open. Speaking of the U.S. Open, she’s won the past three events, dropping just two sets in a total of 15 matches.
Williams is entering this tournament red-hot after winning the Cincinnati Open, beating world No. 3 Simona Halep in straight sets. It’ll be very difficult to stop Williams; she’s won the past two Grand Slams despite suffering from a variety of illnesses and injuries. Now at full health, the World No. 1 should be able to blaze a victory towards her record-breaking seventh US Open crown.
If there’s one player who can spoil Djokovic’s bid for a third Grand Slam title in 2015, it’s Stan Wawrinka (+1,200). The world No. 5 has already beaten Djokovic in a Grand Slam this year – a four-set victory in the finals of Roland Garros. Wawrinka has the power in his serve to give even the best players problems on the hard court of the U.S. Open. He has won 68 percent of his first serve points on hard surfaces in 2015.
Garbine Muguruza
Garbine Muguruza (+2,000) didn’t look like one of the world’s top tennis players in Montreal and Cincinnati, losing in her first matches of both tournaments. But she has excelled in the Grand Slams this season; she went the distance with Williams in the Round of 16 of the Australian Open; reached the quarterfinals of the French Open; and again lost to Williams in the finals of Wimbledon.
Muguruza’s power should be in full display on the hard court of the U.S. Open; she’s won 69.5 percent of her first serve points. She’s also quite handy on the return, winning 44.6 percent of her receiving points this season.
Long Shots
John Isner
Americans love underdogs, especially when they’re their own. John Isner (+10,000) certainly fits the bill and could be America’s hope of winning a Grand Slam title in men’s singles tennis. Isner has the power that could help him wreak havoc at the U.S. Open. He has 520 aces on hard surfaces this season, winning 82 percent of his first serve points.
Madison Keys
Madison Keys (+3,000) is having the best year of her career. She made the semifinals in her first Grand Slam tournament of the season – a straight sets loss to none other than Serena Williams. She also reached the quarterfinal of Wimbledon, a three-set loss to Angieszka Radwanska. Keys should benefit from the hard surface at the U.S. Open considering she’s a pretty strong server, winning 76.2 percent of her service games this year.
Writer’s Prediction
Djokovic’s U.S. Open woes continue as he bows out in the semifinals. With the world No. 1 out of the picture, Wawrinka (+1,200) wins his second Grand Slam of the year.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams (-150) solidifies her status as one of the greatest women’s singles tennis players by completing her first Career Grand Slam.
